Which of the following is a core concept related to operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning is a learning process through which behaviors are modified based on the consequences that follow them. The core concept related to operant conditioning involves understanding the different types of consequences that can either strengthen or weaken a behavior. These consequences can be categorized as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment, which represent the four primary types that shape behavior.

Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated by providing a rewarding stimulus, while negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing an aversive stimulus. On the other hand, positive punishment decreases a behavior by introducing an unpleasant stimulus, while negative punishment reduces behavior by taking away a pleasant stimulus. This framework helps explain how behaviors are learned and maintained over time through the consequences they generate.

In contrast, generalization refers to the tendency to respond similarly to similar stimuli, while spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period, both of which pertain more to classical conditioning. Habituation involves a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure, which does not directly relate to the operant conditioning framework. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes why the four types of consequences are fundamental to operant conditioning.