Glossary / Lexicon

Operant means producing an effect; the initially voluntary act that becomes more or less probable of occurring depending on the consequence that it produces.

Description

In the field of psychology, 'Operant' refers to a type of learning where behavior is shaped and modified by its consequences. This theory, developed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. Operant conditioning involves manipulating the consequences of behavior to increase or decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. This type of learning is based on the idea that behavior is influenced by its consequences, and individuals learn to make choices based on the outcomes they experience. Operant conditioning is widely used in various settings, including schools, businesses, and therapy.

Application Areas

• Educational settings
• Parenting and child behavior
• Workplace behavior management
• Clinical interventions
• Animal training

Treatment and Risks

• Behavioral therapy uses operant conditioning techniques to modify behavior
• Risks include potential reinforcement of unhealthy or maladaptive behaviors
• Over-reliance on punishment can lead to negative emotional consequences

Examples

• Rewarding a child for completing homework reinforces the behavior of studying
• Ignoring a tantrum in a child decreases the likelihood of future tantrums
• Using a token economy system in a classroom to reinforce positive behavior

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Operant conditioning
• Skinnerian conditioning
• Instrumental conditioning
• Behavior modification

Articles with 'Operant' in the title

• Classical and operant conditioning: Classical and operant conditioning refers to a process of learning that involves rewarding an animal for a particular action while at the same time providing a separate and distinct stimulus
• Operant behavior: Operant behavior is defined as a behavior that is emitted by an organism rather than elicited by a known stimulus- a class of emitted responses that result in certain consequences- these consequences, in turn, affect the future probability . . .
• Operant Conditioning: Operant Conditioning refers to B. F. Skinner's learning paradigm in which the consequences of a behavior determine whether a behavior is repeated in the future
• Operant speech training: Operant speech training refers to the strategy used to help children use language more appropriately which involves a step-by-step approach that successively increases the child’s vocalizations, teaches the child to imitate sounds and . . .
• Operant stimulus discrimination: Operant stimulus discrimination : Operant stimulus discrimination refers to the tendency to make an operant response when stimuli previously associated with reward are present and to withhold the response when stimuli associated with non- . . .
• Verbal Operants: Verbal Operants refer to the Units that Skinner described in his theory of verbal behaviour that consist of a response as well as its controlling antecedents and consequences
• Operant conditioning chamber (Skinner box): Operant conditioning chamber (Skinner box) : Operant conditioning chamber also called Skinner box refers to an apparatus designed to study Operant conditioning in animals
• Operant extinction: Operant extinction refers to the weakening or disappearance of a non-reinforced operant response.
• Operant reinforcer: Operant reinforcer refers to any event that reliably increases the probability or frequency of responses it follows.

Summary

Operant conditioning is a type of learning in psychology where behavior is shaped by its consequences. Through reinforcement and punishment, individuals learn to make choices based on the outcomes they experience. This theory, developed by B.F. Skinner, has applications in various settings such as education, parenting, and therapy. By understanding the principles of operant conditioning, behavior can be effectively modified and shaped.

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