Meaning & use
operant conditioning
A learning process in which behavior becomes more or less likely based on rewards or punishments that follow it.
See it in a sentence
Operant conditioning explains why the dog now sits automatically after learning that sitting earns a treat.
The psychology course used operant conditioning to explain how workplace bonuses can shape employee behavior.
A note on using this word
Operant conditioning, developed by B. F. Skinner, differs from classical conditioning, which pairs stimuli rather than consequences with behavior.
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