Which theorist proposed the concept of operant conditioning?

• A. Pavlov
• B. Erikson
• C. Maslow
• D. Skinner

Answer: (D)

Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which voluntary behaviors are shaped by the consequences that follow them. When a behavior is followed by reinforcement—something the learner finds rewarding—it becomes more likely to occur again. When it is followed by punishment or the removal of a desirable stimulus, it becomes less likely. The key figure who developed and popularized this idea is B.F. Skinner, through experiments showing how reinforcement and schedules of reinforcement influence how behavior changes over time. This contrasts with Pavlov, who studied classical conditioning—the linking of a neutral stimulus with an automatic response—focused on involuntary reactions rather than voluntary actions shaped by consequences. Erik Erikson and Maslow describe development and motivation in broader, non-behavioral terms. In early childhood settings, operant conditioning underpins many behavior-support strategies, such as giving praise or a small reward after a child puts away toys, which increases the likelihood of that helpful behavior.