How did B.F. Skinner explain the meaning of an utterance through behavior?

In the context of semantics, B.F. Skinner proposed a behaviouristic theory of meaning that sought to make the study of language more scientific by focusing on observable actions rather than internal mental states.1

Skinner argued that the meaning of an utterance, when spoken on a specific occasion, is defined by its relationship to behavior through three potential components:
* The behavioral stimulus that prompts the utterance.1
* The behavioral response that the utterance triggers in others.1
* A combination of both the stimulus and the response.1

For example, under this framework, the meaning of the word "fire!" would be identified by the actions it produces, such as running or calling for help. However, this approach has faced significant criticism. Critics note that it struggles to account for varying reactions among different listeners—such as a firefighter versus a pyromaniac—and fails to explain how the meanings of complex phrases are derived from their individual parts, a concept known as compositionality.1