Who is widely regarded as the father of behavior analysis?

B.F. Skinner is widely regarded as the father of behavior analysis due to his foundational contributions to the field through his research and the development of key concepts such as operant conditioning. Skinner's work emphasized the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior, which laid the groundwork for applied behavior analysis (ABA). His invention of the Skinner Box allowed for extensive study of animal behavior in controlled environments, enabling insights into how consequences affect learning and behavior modification. Skinner's theories have significantly influenced both the theoretical and practical aspects of behavior analysis, establishing him as a central figure in the discipline's history.

In contrast, while Pavlov is known for his work on classical conditioning, his contributions focus on a different aspect of learning. Watson, often associated with behaviorism, laid important groundwork for the discipline but did not delve deeply into the experimental principles that Skinner introduced. Bandura introduced concepts such as social learning and observational learning, which are critically important but diverge from the fundamental principles of behavior analysis that Skinner established.