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Behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology that focuses on observable behavior. It emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against introspection, which focused on internal mental states. Behaviorists argue that the study of the mind is unscientific because it cannot be directly observed or measured. Instead, they propose that psychology should be the scientific study of behavior, defined as the interaction of an organism with its environment.

Key figures in behaviorism include John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. Watson is often considered the founder of behaviorism, famously stating that he could take any healthy infant and train them to become any type of specialist regardless of their talents or predispositions. Skinner expanded upon behaviorist principles with his concept of operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior.

Behaviorism posits that all behavior is learned through a process of conditioning. Classical conditioning, associated with Ivan Pavlov, involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. Operant conditioning, as developed by Skinner, involves learning through consequences, where behaviors are strengthened by positive reinforcement or weakened by punishment. Behaviorism has had a significant impact on various fields, including education, therapy, and animal training, by providing practical methods for understanding and modifying behavior.