Who conceptualized verbal behavior?

B.F. Skinner is the individual who conceptualized verbal behavior. He was a prominent psychologist and behaviorist known for his work in the field of behavior analysis. In his analysis, Skinner proposed the idea that language is a behavior that can be learned and shaped through interaction with the environment, similar to other forms of behavior.

In his book "Verbal Behavior," published in 1957, Skinner outlined how language functions as a means of communication and how it can be reinforced. He classified verbal behavior into different categories, such as mands (requests), tacts (labeling), and echoics (repeating), thereby providing a framework for understanding how individuals learn to use language in various contexts. His work laid the foundation for many practices in applied behavior analysis and influenced interventions for individuals with autism and other communication disorders.

The other individuals mentioned have made significant contributions to the field of behavior analysis as well, but they did not specifically conceptualize verbal behavior as Skinner did. For instance, Donald Baer is well known for his contributions to the development of applied behavior analysis as a discipline, and Edward Carr has focused on functional communication training. Jon Bailey has contributed to the field through his work on behavior analysis education and ethics, but none