Which of the following theorists is most closely associated with the principles of operant conditioning

Abraham Maslow is best known for his hierarchy of needs theory, which focuses on human motivation and personal development rather than behavior modification through reinforcement. His work emphasizes self-actualization and intrinsic motivation, differing fundamentally from the behaviorist approach of operant conditioning.

Bernard Weiner is recognized for his contributions to attribution theory, which examines how individuals interpret events and how this affects their motivation and behavior. Though related to psychology, his work does not directly involve operant conditioning principles, which are primarily concerned with reinforcement and punishment.

Albert Bandura is famous for his social learning theory, which emphasizes the role of observational learning and modeling in behavior acquisition. While he acknowledges the influence of reinforcement, his primary focus is on learning through observation rather than the operant conditioning framework established by Skinner.