What is the best description of a 'theory' in behaviorism?

In the context of behaviorism, a theory serves as an explanation of how behaviors are influenced and modified through various factors in the environment. Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states and emphasizes the relationship between stimuli and responses. A theory in this field aims to describe the mechanisms behind these observable actions, providing insights into how learning occurs through reinforcement, punishment, and conditioning. By framing a theory as an explanation of how things work, it allows practitioners to better understand the principles guiding behavior change and to apply effective training techniques.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of a theory in behaviorism. Observations made during training can inform theorists but do not in themselves constitute a theoretical framework. A statement of a dependent relationship may describe a specific aspect of behavior but lacks the comprehensive nature of a full theory. Similarly, defining a theory solely as a type of behavioral response limits its role in explaining the broader processes at play in behavior modification.