OPERANT CONDITIONINGS Meaning and
Definition
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Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a type of learning process in which behavior is influenced by its consequences. Developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner, operant conditioning focuses on how behavior is shaped through reinforcement or punishment.
In operant conditioning, behaviors are classified as either operant responses or operant behaviors. An operant response is a behavior that operates on the environment to produce a consequence, while an operant behavior refers to voluntary actions that are influenced by reinforcement or punishment.
The process of operant conditioning involves four key components: the antecedent, the behavior, the consequence, and the schedule of reinforcement. The antecedent refers to the stimuli that precede a behavior, influencing its occurrence. The behavior is the action or response emitted by an individual. The consequence is the outcome of the behavior, which can either strengthen or weaken it. Reinforcement refers to the consequence that strengthens a behavior, while punishment refers to the consequence that weakens a behavior. The schedule of reinforcement determines the timing and frequency of reinforcement or punishment.
Operant conditioning is often used in behavior modification programs, where desirable behaviors are reinforced and undesirable behaviors are punished or ignored. It has also been applied in various fields, such as education, animal training, and therapy. By understanding the principles of operant conditioning, individuals can manipulate the consequences of behavior to shape desirable outcomes and promote positive change.
Common Misspellings for OPERANT CONDITIONINGS
- iperant conditionings
- kperant conditionings
- lperant conditionings
- pperant conditionings
- 0perant conditionings
- 9perant conditionings
- ooerant conditionings
- olerant conditionings
- o-erant conditionings
- o0erant conditionings
- opwrant conditionings
- opsrant conditionings
- opdrant conditionings
- oprrant conditionings
- op4rant conditionings
- op3rant conditionings
- opeeant conditionings
- opedant conditionings
- opefant conditionings
- opetant conditionings
Etymology of OPERANT CONDITIONINGS
The term "operant conditioning" was coined by the American psychologist B.F. Skinner in the mid-20th century. It is derived from the word "operate", which refers to the behavior of an organism operating on its environment, and "conditioning", which refers to the process of learning through reinforcement or punishment. Skinner used this term to describe a type of learning in which voluntary behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on the consequences that follow them.
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