operant conditioning
noun
: conditioning in which the desired behavior or increasingly closer approximations to it are followed by a rewarding or reinforcing stimulus compare classical conditioning
Examples of operant conditioning in a Sentence
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Now, an international team of scientists has found that the cnidarians are capable of a slightly more advanced type of associative learning known as operant conditioning, which entails remembering the positive or negative effects of a previous action.
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Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
Social-media platforms rely on operant conditioning and other forms of psychological manipulation to habituate us to the unthinking cycle of cues and rewards (likes, notifications, retweets) characteristic of all addictive patterns.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harper's Magazine, 8 Dec. 2021
Using operant conditioning, organisms can be brought to do various behaviors.
—Scientific American, 1 May 2020
Burtis said wildlife specialists got the two gorillas comfortable with the move through operant conditioning based on the work of B.F. Skinner.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
It is based on theories of behaviorism and operant conditioning, and is known as the gold standard by many in the caregiver and professional community.
—Ariana Cernius, Fortune, 13 May 2022
Bears and monkeys can be taught to dance at circuses, but Patel said such displays do not qualify as true dancing because they are based on operant conditioning.
—Author: Jason Bittel, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2019
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Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2023
Social-media platforms rely on operant conditioning and other forms of psychological manipulation to habituate us to the unthinking cycle of cues and rewards (likes, notifications, retweets) characteristic of all addictive patterns.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harper's Magazine, 8 Dec. 2021
Using operant conditioning, organisms can be brought to do various behaviors.
—Scientific American, 1 May 2020
Burtis said wildlife specialists got the two gorillas comfortable with the move through operant conditioning based on the work of B.F. Skinner.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
It is based on theories of behaviorism and operant conditioning, and is known as the gold standard by many in the caregiver and professional community.
—Ariana Cernius, Fortune, 13 May 2022
Bears and monkeys can be taught to dance at circuses, but Patel said such displays do not qualify as true dancing because they are based on operant conditioning.
—Author: Jason Bittel, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Operant conditioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operant%20conditioning. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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