Final answer:
The correct answer is option a. Behaviorism.
Step-by-step explanation:
B. F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist, was strongly associated with the behaviorist school of thought. Skinner's 'teaching machine' was created to follow the principles of behaviorism, which focuses on how behavior is influenced by its consequences. Operant conditioning is a cornerstone of this approach. Skinner's machine was designed to apply the principles of reinforcing desirable behaviors with rewards.
Behaviorism, as a school of thought, posited that psychology should be an objective science focused strictly on overt behaviors rather than internal mental processes. Classical and operant conditioning are methods within this framework that detail how certain stimuli and consequences can be used to strengthen or weaken behavior patterns. The teaching machine designed by Skinner allowed for systematic study and application of these principles, reinforcing the behaviorist outlook.