Behaviorism is a theory that human behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning in response to environmental stimuli without appeal to mental states or consciousness. Key proponents included Ivan Pavlov who discovered classical conditioning in dogs, B.F. Skinner who developed operant conditioning using positive and negative reinforcement with animals, and Albert Bandura who showed behavior is also learned through observation. From a teacher's perspective, behaviorism uses small incremental tasks, repetition of directions, reinforcement of correct responses, and avoidance of negative feedback when possible.