operant conditioning

the process in which behavioral change (i.e., learning) occurs as a function of the consequences of behavior. Examples are teaching a dog to do tricks and rewarding behavioral change in a misbehaving child (see behavior therapy). The term is essentially equivalent to instrumental conditioning. Also called operant learning. See behavior modification; shaping. [first described by B. F. Skinner]

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Psychology term of the day

April 26th 2024

open-ended interview

an interview in which the interviewee is asked questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. For example, a human resources staff member interviewing a candidate for employment might ask, “What were the major responsibilities of your most recent job?” Open-ended interviews encourage interviewees to talk freely and extensively, thus providing information that might not be obtained otherwise. The general questions and their order may be planned in advance (see standardized interview), or a single initial question can be planned and the subsequent discussion allowed to pursue various areas of interest as they arise (see unstructured interview).