Define operant conditioning. Discuss the factors that influence the course of operant conditioning.

Operant conditioning refers to the conditioning of behaviours and responses that are under the control of animals and human beings and are emitted voluntarily by them. The behaviour is learned, maintained or changed through its consequences called reinforcers. These refer to a stimulus or event that increases the probability of the occurrence of the response. The factors that influence the course of operant conditioning are as follows:

• Type of reinforcements − Positive reinforcement involves pleasant consequences that satisfy needs. Negative reinforcement involves unpleasant and painful consequences that lead to learning of avoidance.

• Number and quality of reinforcements − The course of operant conditioning is accelerated by increase in number, amount and quality of reinforcements.

• Schedule of reinforcement − Continuous reinforcement elicits a desired response every time during a trial. Intermittent reinforcement elicits responses only intermittently.

• Delay in the delivery of reinforcement − It results in a poor level of conditioning and performance.