Final answer:
The claim that operant conditioning is about actualizing potential rather than behavior change is false. Operant conditioning is based on the concept that behaviors are shaped by their consequences, including rewards and punishments, as posited by B. F. Skinner.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to B. F. Skinner, the founder of operant conditioning, behavior is a result of its consequences. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, while punishment decreases that likelihood. This process does not concern the actualization of potential, which is more closely associated with humanistic theories like those proposed by Carl Rogers. In contrast to the behaviorist perspective, the humanistic approach emphasizes personal growth and fulfillment. Skinner's operant conditioning is entirely focused on behaviors that can be observed and measured and how they are influenced by the environment.
Operant conditioning uses reinforcers and punishers as consequences for behavior, making it distinct from classical conditioning, which associates an involuntary behavior with a stimulus. These principles are evident in various applications, such as animal training, education, and behavior therapy.