The Impact of Skinner's Verbal Behavior on Organizational Behavior Management

Abstract

In the book Verbal Behavior, Skinner provided a comprehensive, behavioral account of language. While the impact of Skinner's analysis on empirical research has been examined broadly, this review of the literature focused on studies relevant to organizational behavior management (OBM). Both empirical and nonempirical journal articles in OBM were analyzed, along with several influential books in the field. The results of this review indicate that the conceptual framework provided in Verbal Behavior has had virtually no impact on empirical research in OBM and very limited impact on conceptual work. Potential reasons for this lack of influence are discussed, and further research on verbal behavior in organizations is encouraged.

KEYWORDS:

• verbal behavior
• Skinner
• organizational behavior management
• relational frame theory

Notes

Eric J. Fox and Sarah E. VanStelle were affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, during the writing of this article.