Skinnerian psychology

Skinnerian psychology, or behaviorism, is a theory developed by B.F. Skinner that focuses on how behavior is influenced by external factors, particularly through reinforcement and punishment. It posits that people learn from their environment, and behaviors can be shaped by the consequences that follow them—positive outcomes encourage repetition of behavior, while negative outcomes discourage it. Skinner used techniques like operant conditioning, where rewards or punishments are used to modify behavior. This approach emphasizes observable behavior over internal thoughts or feelings, suggesting that understanding and changing behavior is key to psychological study and treatment.