OPERANT CONDITION Meaning and
Definition
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Operant conditioning is a psychological concept that refers to a form of learning in which an individual's behavior is influenced and modified by the consequences that follow said behavior. It is based on the principle that people are more likely to repeat behaviors that are followed by positive outcomes or rewards, while behaviors followed by negative outcomes or punishments are less likely to be repeated.
In operant conditioning, the organism, whether it is a person or an animal, actively operates on its environment, and the consequences that follow its behavior shape its future actions. This type of learning involves a process of trial and error, where behaviors are reinforced or weakened based on the individual's experiences.
The term "operant" is used to describe the behavioral response, or the "operant behavior," that an organism exhibits in response to specific stimuli. These stimuli could be rewards, punishments, or neutral outcomes, depending on the desired behavior modification. Reinforcement can occur through positive means (e.g., receiving praise or a treat) or negative means (e.g., avoiding an unpleasant situation).
Operant conditioning plays a significant role in shaping behavior in various domains, such as education, parenting, and therapy. It is often applied in behavioral modification programs to promote desirable behaviors or eliminate undesirable ones. The principles of operant conditioning have been extensively studied and developed by psychologists, most notably B.F. Skinner, who introduced the concept of the "operant chamber," or Skinner box, as a controlled laboratory environment to study behavior and conditioning.
Etymology of OPERANT CONDITION
The term "operant conditioning" was introduced by B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist and behaviorist, in the mid-20th century.
The word "operant" is derived from the Latin word "operari", meaning to work or to operate. Skinner used this term to emphasize that behavior is influenced and shaped by its consequences and the organism's response to them. In operant conditioning, the focus is on the relationship between behavior and its controlling variables, which are often the consequences that follow the behavior.
