Operant conditioning is primarily associated with which psychologist?

Operant conditioning is primarily associated with B.F. Skinner, who was a prominent psychologist in the field of behaviorism. His work focused on the ways that consequences shape behavior. Skinner developed the concept of reinforcement, which is central to operant conditioning, emphasizing how behaviors can be increased or decreased based on the rewards or punishments that follow them. He also created the Skinner Box, an experimental apparatus that allowed him to observe behavior in controlled settings, further demonstrating principles of operant conditioning.

Skinner's theories extended to the idea of shaping, where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced until the complete behavior is achieved. This foundational work in operant conditioning laid the groundwork for subsequent research and applications in behavior modification and education, among other fields. His emphasis on observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli distinguishes his approach from others who focused on different aspects of behavior or learning.