Which psychologist is most closely associated with operant conditioning?

B.F. Skinner is most closely associated with operant conditioning due to his pioneering research and theories in this area of behaviorism. Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, specifically through reinforcement and punishment. Skinner developed the concept of the operant chamber, often known as the Skinner box, which allowed him to study how different forms of reinforcement shaped behavior in animals, such as rats and pigeons.

He identified that positive reinforcement enhances behavior by providing a reward after desired actions, while negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. Skinner’s extensive experiments laid the groundwork for understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified, emphasizing the role of external stimuli in behavior modification. His work remains foundational in psychological theory and remains influential in various applications, including education, behavior modification, and organizational management.

In contrast, the other psychologists listed are noted for very different theories; Sigmund Freud is known for psychoanalytic theory, Ivan Pavlov is famous for classical conditioning with his experiments on dogs, and Albert Bandura is recognized for social learning theory and the concept of observational learning.