TDesc Theorists B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner is perhaps the predominant figure in American psychology. He rejects any attempt at introspection or use of hypothetical internal processes or structures to account for learning.
Skinner uses the consequences of a behavior to explain why the behavior continues or fades.
Much of Skinner's ideas are built upon Thorndike's law of effect. Behavior followed by extinction or punishment has a decreased probability of reoccurrence. Since learning is implied by a change in behavior, a teacher then must determine what behavioral change is desirable, then manipulate the consequences to alter the probability of the behavior reoccurring. Through proper use of shaping, the teacher can promote the development of new behaviors. Skinner's ideas about instruction have been very influential on education.