Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences: Specifically, operant conditioning is a learning process where the frequency or form of a voluntary behavior (an operant) is modified by its association with reinforcement (reward) or punishment. The behavior is said to be "operant" because it operates on the environment to produce a consequence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The psychologist used operant conditioning to teach the pigeon to peck a key for food.
  • Parents often use principles of operant conditioning, such as praise for good behavior, without realizing the technical term.

Advanced Usage

• "to be under operant control": Describes a behavior whose probability is determined by its history of consequences.
  • The lever-pressing behavior was firmly under operant control after several training sessions.
• "to shape behavior through operant conditioning": To gradually teach a complex behavior by reinforcing successive approximations.
  • The trainer shaped the dog's behavior through operant conditioning, rewarding each small step toward the final trick.

Variants and Related Words

• Operant (adj/noun): Pertaining to behavior that acts upon the environment to generate consequences; or the behavior itself.
  • An operant response is defined by its effect.
• Reinforcement (noun): A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.
• Punishment (noun): A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Synonyms

• Instrumental conditioning: A largely synonymous term, emphasizing that behavior is instrumental in producing a consequence.
• Skinnerian conditioning: A term referencing B.F. Skinner, the psychologist who extensively researched this concept.

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Positive reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior (e.g., giving a treat).
• Negative reinforcement: Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior (e.g., turning off a loud noise).
• Extinction: The weakening of an operant behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided.

Noun

1. conditioning in which an operant response is brought under stimulus control by virtue of presenting reinforcement contingent upon the occurrence of the operant response