Which statement about B. F. Skinner is correct?

• A. B. F. Skinner rejected the use of scientific methods in psychology.
• B. B. F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning.
• C. B. F. Skinner focused primarily on classical conditioning.
• D. B. F. Skinner was the founder of psychoanalysis.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand who B. F. Skinner was in the context of psychology. He was a prominent psychologist known for his work in behaviorism.
2. Step 2: Review the key theories associated with Skinner. He is most famous for developing operant conditioning, which involves learning through consequences like rewards and punishments.
3. Step 3: Differentiate operant conditioning from classical conditioning. Classical conditioning, associated with Pavlov, involves learning through association, while operant conditioning involves learning through consequences.
4. Step 4: Recognize that Skinner did not reject scientific methods; in fact, he emphasized rigorous experimental methods to study behavior.
5. Step 5: Note that psychoanalysis was founded by Sigmund Freud, not Skinner, so any statement attributing psychoanalysis to Skinner is incorrect.