Which concept is central to operant conditioning?

The concept central to operant conditioning is the use of rewards and punishments to influence behavior. This principle, developed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes that behaviors can be shaped and maintained through the consequences that follow them. When a behavior is followed by a reward, it is more likely to be repeated in the future; conversely, when a behavior is followed by punishment, it is less likely to occur again.

This framework helps in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified over time, highlighting the importance of reinforcement (both positive and negative) as well as the role of punishment in shaping actions. It frames learning not just as a passive process of acquiring knowledge, but as an active one where an individual's actions are influenced by their experiences with rewards and punishments. This distinguishes operant conditioning from other learning theories, such as classical conditioning, which focuses more on the association between stimuli rather than the consequences of behavior.