Operant Conditioning

Definition

Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Positive reinforcements or punishments are used to either increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior happening again.

Related terms

Reinforcement:

Anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior repeating itself.

Punishment:

Anything that decreases the likelihood of a behavior repeating itself.

Extinction:

The disappearance of learned behavior when it's no longer reinforced.