Who is recognized as the founder of Radical Behaviorism?

B.F. Skinner is recognized as the founder of Radical Behaviorism, a philosophical stance on the role of behavior in psychology that emphasizes observable behaviors over internal phenomena. Skinner broadened the scope of behaviorism by introducing the concept of operant conditioning, which asserts that behaviors are influenced by their consequences. This approach not only focused on how behaviors are learned through reinforcement and punishment but also argued that internal states (like thoughts and feelings) do not necessarily need to be considered to understand and modify behavior.

Skinner's work laid the foundation for modern behavior therapy and helped shape the field of psychology by insisting that behavior could be studied scientifically. His theories significantly impacted not only psychology but also education, animal training, and various applied fields, demonstrating the influence of environmental factors on behavior. Other figures mentioned, such as John Watson and Albert Bandura, contributed to the field but did not develop Radical Behaviorism in the same way.