Exam 3: Operant Conditioning for Dummies Part II

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Operant behavior refers to a type of learning where behavior is controlled by its consequences. In other words, operant behavior is behavior that is "operant" upon the environment to produce effects or outcomes. This concept is central to operant conditioning, a learning process first described by B.F. Skinner, a renowned psychologist.

In operant conditioning, behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on the reinforcements or punishments that follow them. If a behavior is followed by a desirable consequence, such as a reward, it is more likely to be repeated in the future. This is known as positive reinforcement. Conversely, if a behavior is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus, it is also more likely to be repeated, which is known as negative reinforcement.

On the other hand, behaviors can be discouraged through punishment. Positive punishment involves the presentation of an unpleasant stimulus after a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. Negative punishment involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus, also with the intent of decreasing the behavior's occurrence.

Operant behavior is voluntary and emitted rather than elicited, meaning that the behavior is not a reflexive or automatic response to a stimulus, but rather a deliberate action taken to achieve a certain result. This distinguishes operant conditioning from classical conditioning, where an automatic conditioned response is triggered by a stimulus that has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

In summary, operant behavior is an active behavior that operates on the environment to bring about a change, and its future frequency is influenced by the consequences that follow it.