Operant conditioning (or instrumental conditioning) is a form of learning in which an individual's behavior is modified by its consequences; the behaviour may change in form, frequency, or strength. Operant conditioning is a term that was coined by B.F Skinner in 1937 Operant conditioning is distinguished from classical conditioning (or respondent conditioning) in that operant conditioning deals with the modification of "voluntary behaviour" or operant behaviour. Operant behavior operates on the environment and is maintained by its consequences, while classical conditioning deals with the conditioning of reflexive (reflex) behaviours which are elicited by antecedent conditions. Behaviours conditioned via a classical conditioning procedure are not maintained by consequences.
Read more about Operant Conditioning: Reinforcement, Punishment, and Extinction, Thorndike's Law of Effect, Biological Correlates of Operant Conditioning, Factors That Alter The Effectiveness of Consequences, Operant Variability, Avoidance Learning, Two-process Theory of Avoidance, Verbal Behavior, Four Term Contingency, Operant Hoarding, Questions About The Law of Effect
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“The climacteric marks the end of apologizing. The chrysalis of conditioning has once for all to break and the female woman finally to emerge.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)