Introduction to Operant Conditioning

All organisms are influenced by the consequences that are produced by theirown behavior (Carpenter, 1974). Skinnerian psychology basically believes:

  1. All animals and humans are behaving creatures.
  2. A given act is followed by an experience that is a consequence of the act.
  3. The quality of the consequence influences further actions.

These consequences, or reinforcements,develop in the outer environment, thus the environment plays an important rolein the changes that occur in the way a person behaves.