AP Psychology Practice Test

Which behavior is strengthened by following it with reinforcement according to operant conditioning?

1. Respondent behavior

2. Operant behavior

3. Generalization behavior

4. Discrimination behavior

The correct answer is: Operant behavior

Operant conditioning is a learning process through which behaviors are modified by their consequences, specifically through reinforcement or punishment. In this context, when a behavior is followed by a reinforcement, it increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future. Operant behavior refers to actions that are controlled by their consequences. For instance, when a rat presses a lever and receives food, the act of pressing the lever is reinforced, leading to an increased frequency of that behavior. This is the essence of operant conditioning, which focuses on strengthening voluntary behaviors through reinforcement. Respondent behavior, on the other hand, is involuntary and is not influenced by reinforcement in the same way; it involves stimulus-response relationships. Generalization and discrimination behaviors are related to the way stimuli are perceived and reacted to in different contexts, rather than the reinforcement of specific behaviors. Thus, reinforcing operant behaviors is a fundamental aspect of operant conditioning, making it the correct choice in this question.