What distinguishes operant conditioning from classical conditioning?

The key distinguishing feature of operant conditioning is that it involves rewards or punishments that follow behaviors, which in turn influence the likelihood of those behaviors being repeated in the future. This concept, developed primarily by B.F. Skinner, suggests that behaviors can be strengthened or weakened based on the consequences that follow them.

In contrast, classical conditioning, as demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov’s experiments, is based on the association between two stimuli and focuses primarily on involuntary responses. This associative learning does not rely on consequences to change behavior but rather on the pairing of stimuli.

By emphasizing the role of consequences—where rewards increase the probability of a behavior and punishments decrease it—operant conditioning encompasses a wider array of behaviors, especially voluntary ones. This contrasts with processes that focus solely on reflexive or involuntary responses, which define classical conditioning. Understanding the mechanism of reinforcement in operant conditioning is crucial to grasp how behaviors can be shaped and modified through learning.