US High School Psychology Complete Practice Exam 2025

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What best defines operant conditioning?

A learning process through associations between stimuli

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments

Operant conditioning is defined as a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments. This concept comes from the work of B.F. Skinner, who demonstrated that behaviors can be modified based on their consequences. In operant conditioning, behavior is influenced by its outcomes; when a behavior is followed by a positive outcome (like a reward), it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, when a behavior is followed by a negative outcome (like a punishment), it is less likely to occur again. This foundational idea emphasizes the role of reinforcement in learning, distinguishing operant conditioning from other forms of learning such as classical conditioning, which relies on associations between stimuli without involving rewards or punishments.

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A technique based on cognitive dissonance

A process of learning through imitation

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