In psychology, operant conditioning is a type of learning in which an individual’s behavior is modified by its consequences. Discovered by B.F. Skinner in the 1930s, operant conditioning is a form of learning based on the premise that behavior is determined by its consequences, either rewarding or punishing, and can be modified through reinforcement or punishment. This type of learning is used to explain how animals and humans learn specific behaviors.
Operant conditioning is based on the idea that behaviors are shaped by their consequences. A behavior is likely to be repeated if it is rewarded, and less likely to be repeated if it is punished. Rewards can take the form of positive reinforcement, which is the presentation of a reward after a desired behavior is exhibited, or negative reinforcement, which is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus after a desired behavior is exhibited. Punishments can take the form of positive punishment, which is the presentation of an unpleasant stimulus after an undesired behavior is exhibited, or negative punishment, which is the removal of a reward after an undesired behavior is exhibited.
This type of learning is used in many areas, including animal training, air traffic control, and education. For example, it is used in animal training to shape desired behaviors such as sitting and staying. In air traffic control, it is used to encourage pilots to follow procedures and regulations. In education, it is used to motivate students to learn and to modify undesirable behaviors.
In conclusion, operant conditioning is a form of learning in which an individual’s behavior is modified by its consequences. It is based on the idea that behaviors are shaped by their consequences, and can be reinforced or punished in order to modify the behavior. It is used in many areas, including animal training, air traffic control, and education.
References
Hoffman, E. (2020). What Is Operant Conditioning? Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-operant-conditioning-2795302
Skinner, B. F. (1938). The Behavior of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2014). Life-Span Human Development (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.