Final answer:
In operant conditioning, the organism's response to the stimulus is emitted voluntarily, with the behavior being modified by its consequences, unlike in classical conditioning where responses are automatic and elicited by triggering reflexes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In operant conditioning, the response of the organism to the stimulus is emitted voluntarily. This form of learning associates a voluntary behavior with its consequences. Unlike in classical conditioning where responses are elicited automatically, operant conditioning involves behaviors that are actively emitted by the organism and then strengthened or weakened by the outcomes they produce.
For example, B.F. Skinner's work with rats demonstrated operant conditioning by showing how a rat learns to press a lever to receive food. This behavior is not an automatic response but rather one that the rat emits voluntarily in expectation of a reward. In contrast to reflexive behaviors that are innate and triggered without learning, operant conditioning relies on the organism learning from the environment and modifying its behavior accordingly.