Which of the following best defines operant conditioning in the context of AP Psychology?

• A. A sudden realization of a problem's solution without trial-and-error learning.
• B. A process by which an organism learns to associate two stimuli and anticipate events.
• C. A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it, such as rewards or punishments.
• D. A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of operant conditioning, which is a type of learning where behaviors are influenced by their consequences.
2. Step 2: Recognize that operant conditioning involves strengthening or weakening a behavior based on rewards (reinforcements) or punishments that follow the behavior.
3. Step 3: Differentiate operant conditioning from classical conditioning, which involves associating two stimuli, and from insight learning or habituation, which are different learning processes.
4. Step 4: Review the provided options and identify the one that describes behavior being modified by consequences, which aligns with operant conditioning.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the correct definition emphasizes the role of consequences (rewards or punishments) in increasing or decreasing the likelihood of a behavior.