Skinner is best known for his contributions to which learning theory?

Skinner is best known for his contributions to Operant Conditioning, which is a fundamental concept in his broader framework of Behaviorism. Operant Conditioning is a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. Skinner conducted numerous experiments using devices known as Skinner boxes, where he observed how animals learned behaviors based on the consequences of their actions. The key idea is that behaviors followed by positive reinforcement are likely to occur again, while those followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Operant Conditioning emphasizes the role of external stimuli in shaping behavior, and it contrasts with Classical Conditioning, which focuses on associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus. While Skinner's work is certainly connected to Behaviorism, which encompasses a wider array of theories related to observable behavior and denies the relevance of internal mental states, his specific focus on the mechanisms of reinforcement and punishment in the learning process distinctly aligns him with Operant Conditioning as his primary contribution.