Final answer:
Behaviorism is a theory in psychology that focuses on studying overt behavior and dismisses the significance of unobservable mental processes. Edward Thorndike's law of effect states that behaviors with satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while B. F. Skinner expanded on this and developed the concept of operant conditioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Behaviorism is a school of thought within psychology that focuses on studying overt behavior and de-emphasizes the importance of unobservable mental processes. Both Edward Thorndike and B. F. Skinner made significant contributions to the behaviorism theory. Thorndike proposed the law of effect, which states that behaviors that are followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated. Skinner expanded on Thorndike's ideas and developed the concept of operant conditioning, which involves modifying behavior through reinforcements and punishments based on the consequences of those behaviors.