What defines operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning is defined by the process of reinforcing or punishing behaviors to increase or decrease their occurrence, respectively. This concept was developed by B.F. Skinner and emphasizes the relationship between a behavior and its consequences. When a desired behavior is reinforced, it tends to be repeated, while behaviors that face punishment are less likely to recur.

In the context of learning, operant conditioning can be effectively utilized in educational settings to shape student behaviors. For example, if a student receives praise (a positive reinforcement) for participating in class, they are more likely to continue engaging in that behavior. On the other hand, if a student faces a consequence for disruptive behavior, this may discourage them from repeating it in the future.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the principles of operant conditioning. Encouraging learning without consequences does not actively shape behavior. Promoting learning through passive observation ignores the active role reinforcement plays in influencing behaviors. Lastly, limiting feedback to avoid external influences contradicts the foundational idea that feedback, whether positive or negative, is crucial in facilitating the learning process through operant conditioning.