Behavioral Psychology, also known as Behaviorism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists focus primarily on observable behavior, as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion, and believe that behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states. Here are some of the key theories and figures in Behavioral Psychology:

1. Classical Conditioning
   • Theorist: Ivan Pavlov
   • Ivan Pavlov is famous for his experiments with dogs which laid the groundwork for the study of classical conditioning. He demonstrated that a neutral stimulus, when repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, can elicit a conditioned response. This process was critical to the development of Behaviorism as it demonstrated that behavior could be learned through association.
2. Operant Conditioning
   • Theorist: B.F. Skinner
   • B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning. He believed that behavior is learned through consequences, and that behavior which is followed by reinforcement will likely be repeated, while behavior followed by punishment will decrease. He made extensive use of both positive and negative reinforcement in his research.
3. Social Learning Theory
   • Theorist: Albert Bandura
   • Bandura’s Social Learning Theory significantly expanded understanding of learning by emphasizing the role of observational learning, imitation, and modeling. He argued that people can learn by observing others, without direct experience or reinforcement. His Bobo doll experiment is particularly famous.
4. Behavior Modification
   • Theorist: Not tied to a single theorist
   • Behavior modification is a therapeutic approach that applies the principles of operant conditioning to replace undesirable behaviors with more desirable ones through positive or negative reinforcement. It has been applied in various settings including education, healthcare, and clinical psychology.
5. Systematic Desensitization
   • Theorist: Joseph Wolpe
   • Systematic desensitization is a type of behavioral therapy developed by Joseph Wolpe. It is primarily used to help individuals overcome phobias and other anxiety disorders. The process involves three stages: relaxation training, creating a fear hierarchy, and pairing relaxation with gradual exposure to the feared situations.
6. Token Economy
   • Theorist: Not tied to a single theorist
   • Token economy is a system of behavior modification based on the systematic positive reinforcement of target behavior. The reinforcers are symbols or “tokens” that can be exchanged for other reinforcers such as privileges or treats.
7. Law of Effect
   • Theorist: Edward Thorndike
   • Thorndike’s Law of Effect states that responses that produce a satisfying effect in a particular situation become more likely to occur again in that situation, while responses that produce a discomforting effect become less likely to occur.
8. Shaping
   • Theorist: B.F. Skinner
   • Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations towards a target behavior. It’s used to teach new behaviors by rewarding each action that is closer to the desired behavior.
9. Behavioral Activation
   • Theorists: Martell, Addis, and Jacobson
   • Behavioral Activation is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals with depression to increase their engagement in valued activities through scheduled experiences, to improve their mood and reduce depressive symptoms.
10. Two-factor Theory of Avoidance Learning
    • Theorist: Neal Miller
    • This theory suggests that both classical and operant conditioning play a role in avoidance learning. It posits that individuals first learn to associate a stimulus with an aversive event (classical conditioning), and then learn behaviors to avoid or escape the stimulus (operant conditioning).

Behavioral Psychology has been fundamental in contributing to the understanding of human behavior and has been applied in various fields including education, clinical psychology, and behavior modification programs.