Who is widely regarded as the father of behaviorism?

John B. Watson is widely regarded as the father of behaviorism due to his role in establishing behaviorism as a significant psychological perspective in the early 20th century. Watson argued that psychology should focus on observable behaviors rather than internal phenomena such as thoughts and feelings. This shift emphasized the importance of empirical data and scientific methods in psychology, moving away from introspective techniques that were popular at the time.

Watson's notable experiments, including the Little Albert study, demonstrated how emotions and behaviors could be conditioned, illustrating principles that would become foundational in behaviorist theory. His influence laid the groundwork for future behaviorists to explore and expand upon these ideas, shaping the field of psychology significantly.

B.F. Skinner later expanded on Watson's ideas, focusing on operant conditioning, but Watson is recognized for pioneering the movement and formally establishing behaviorism as a leading school of thought.