Which observation illustrates the principle of operant behavior?
A) Increasing the amount of food that follows lever pressing increases lever pressing.
B) Increasing the amount of food that follows a light increases drooling to the light.
C) Increasing the amount of food that follows lever pressing has no effect on lever pressing.
D) Increasing the volume of a tone paired with food increases drooling to the tone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Operant behavior, as defined by B.F. Skinner, involves an action that is followed by a consequence (reinforcement or punishment) which then affects the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. Choice A illustrates this principle by showing that increasing the reinforcement (food) following a behavior (lever pressing) increases the frequency of that behavior, which is a fundamental concept of operant conditioning.

Which Observation Illustrates the Principle of Operant Behavior