Final answer:
Operant conditioning, a concept developed by B.F. Skinner, describes how behaviors are modified through consequences like reinforcement or punishment, using an antecedent-behavior-consequence model.
Step-by-step explanation:
Operant conditioning is a type of learning where an individual's behavior is modified by its consequences; specifically, the reinforcement or punishment that follows a behavior. Psychologist B.F. Skinner, a major proponent of this theory, conducted experiments using a device known as a Skinner box, where, for example, a rat learned to press a lever to receive food. This method of learning involves three main components:
- Antecedent: This is the environment or stimulus that exists before the behavior occurs.
- Behavior: The action taken by the individual or animal.
- Consequence: The outcome that follows the behavior, which can be a reinforcement (increasing the behavior) or punishment (decreasing the behavior).
- Reinforcement: This includes both positive reinforcement (adding a rewarding stimulus) and negative reinforcement (removing an aversive stimulus) to increase the likelihood of the behavior recurring.
Operant conditioning is a crucial concept in psychology, used to understand how behaviors are acquired and maintained in both humans and animals.