Final Answer:
a) B.F. Skinner because Chomsky's critique of behaviorism, particularly B.F. Skinner's work, influenced cognitive psychology's emergence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Noam Chomsky's critique primarily targeted the behaviorist theories of B.F. Skinner. Chomsky challenged Skinner's perspective on language acquisition, arguing that innate cognitive structures and mechanisms play a crucial role in learning language. His review of Skinner's work, particularly in his review of Skinner's book "Verbal Behavior" in 1959, paved the way for the emergence of cognitive psychology. Chomsky's perspective emphasized the significance of mental processes, such as syntax and grammar, in language acquisition, contrasting sharply with Skinner's behaviorist explanations that focused on conditioning and reinforcement.
Chomsky's critique marked a pivotal moment, challenging the dominance of behaviorism in psychology and stimulating a shift toward a new understanding that incorporated mental processes and cognitive mechanisms. This shift ultimately led to the development of cognitive psychology, which investigates internal mental processes, including memory, problem-solving, and language, contributing significantly to our understanding of human cognition.