Definition
Operant conditioning is the use of environmental consequences of reinforcement and punishment to modify the occurrence and form of behavior. The strength and frequency of a response can be controlled by the schedule of reinforcement and the contingent presentation of reinforcing or punishing stimuli. Affective properties such as pain and pleasure are often attributed to such stimuli but do not enter into their definitions, which are based upon observed changes in behavior such as the acquisition of new patterns of simple or complex behavior or the suppression of existing behaviors.
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(2015). Operant Conditioning. In: Stolerman, I.P., Price, L.H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_200745
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_200745
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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