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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language

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Natural language processing, pragmatics, and verbal behavior.

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior

|April 6, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) can be improved by integrating pragmatic language understanding, drawing from Skinner's Verbal Behavior. This approach enables the development of advanced AI systems like a "user expert" using genetic algorithms.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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Published on: May 14, 2019

Area of Science:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computational Linguistics
Cognitive Science

Background:

Natural Language Processing (NLP) primarily focuses on syntactic and semantic analysis.
Effective NLP requires understanding the pragmatic (contextual) dimension of language.
Current pragmatic approaches in NLP are fragmented and lack theoretical integration.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the potential of B.F. Skinner's Verbal Behavior for pragmatic analysis in NLP.
To propose a theoretical framework for integrating pragmatics into NLP systems.
To introduce the concept of a "user expert" AI system informed by pragmatic principles.

Main Methods:

Review of B.F. Skinner's (1957) Verbal Behavior for pragmatic insights.
Conceptualization of a functional analysis of language for AI applications.
Proposal for utilizing genetic algorithms/programming for AI system implementation.

Main Results:

Skinner's Verbal Behavior offers a comprehensive, principled pragmatic analysis applicable to NLP.
An integrated pragmatic approach can enhance NLP system effectiveness.
A "user expert" system, leveraging pragmatic understanding, can be developed.

Conclusions:

Integrating Skinnerian pragmatics offers a novel foundation for advanced NLP.
The proposed "user expert" system represents a significant advancement in human-computer interaction.
Genetic algorithms provide a viable method for implementing such behaviorally-informed AI.