operant etymology

Etymology:

  • Operant is derived from the Latin word operari, meaning "to work" or "to operate."

Meaning and Origin:

In psychology, the term "operant" was coined by behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner in the 1930s. It refers to a type of behavior that is influenced by its consequences.

Skinner believed that behavior is not simply a response to stimuli (as in classical conditioning), but that it is also shaped by the consequences that follow those behaviors. If a behavior is rewarded, it is more likely to be repeated, while if it is punished, it is less likely to occur.

Operant conditioning is a type of learning that focuses on the relationship between behavior and consequences. Skinner developed this theory based on his experiments with animals, in which he observed that certain behaviors were more likely to occur when they were reinforced (rewarded) or punished.

Key Concepts in Operant Conditioning:

  • Reinforcement: A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
  • Punishment: A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
  • Discrimination: The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately.
  • Generalization: The tendency for a behavior to occur in similar situations, even if the exact same stimuli are not present.

operant relate terms

  • cooperate

    Etymology From Latin cooperārī meaning to work together Derived from com with

  • cooperation

    Etymology Cooperation derives from the Latin words cooperare or co operari meani

  • copious

    Etymology Latin copiōsus Proto Indo European kʷepiō abundance crowd M

  • copy

    Etymology The word copy originates from the Middle English word copien meaning to

  • cornucopia

    Etymology From Latin cornucopia from cornu horn copia abundance The Latin w

  • inure

    Etymology Late Latin inurēre from Latin in in urēre to burn Meaning

  • maneuver

    Etymology The word maneuver comes from the French word manœuvre which in turn deri

  • manure

    Etymology The word manure originates from the Old French word manuer which is deriv

  • oeuvre

    Etymology From French oeuvre from Old French oevre from Latin opera work effort s

  • office

    Etymology The word office is derived from the Latin word officium which originally m

  • official

    Etymology Official is derived from the Middle French word official which in turn come

  • officinal

    Etymology Latin officīna meaning workshop store pharmacy Proto Indo European o

  • omni

    Etymology Latin omnis meaning all Meaning and Origin The word omni derives fro

  • omnibus

    Etymology From Latin omnibus for all ablative plural of omnis all Meaning

  • opera

    Etymology The word opera originates from the Italian word opera which means work o

  • operate

    Etymology Operate derives from the Latin word operari meaning to work or to do

  • operation

    Etymology Operation comes from the Latin word operatio which means work or action

  • operose

    Etymology The word operose comes from the Late Latin word operosus which in turn der

  • optimism

    Etymology Derived from Latin optimus meaning best Optimus is the superlative fo

  • optimum

    Etymology Latin optimus best Meaning Best possible or most favorable Ideal or p

  • opulence

    Etymology Latin opulentia from opulens opulent wealthy rich from ops abu

  • opulent

    Etymology The word opulent comes from the Latin word opulentus which means rich o

  • opus

    Etymology Late Latin opus operis work labor task Latin opus operis work tas

  • Oscan

    Etymology and Origin The Oscan language is an extinct Italic language that was spoken in

  • opera

    Etymology The word opera originates from the Italian word opera which means work o

  • opus

    Etymology Late Latin opus operis work labor task Latin opus operis work tas

  • revelation

    Etymology Revelation has its roots in the Latin word revelare which means to uncover

  • enough

    Etymology Enough comes from the Middle English inowh which evolved from the Old Eng

  • oasis

    Etymology The word oasis originates from the Greek word ὄασις oasis which in

  • filibuster

    Etymology The term filibuster is derived from the Spanish word filibustero which ori

  • equity

    Etymology The word equity originates from the Latin word aequitas which means fair

  • luxury

    Etymology The word luxury derives from the Latin term luxus which means excess ex

  • banter

    Etymology Proto Germanic bantrian meaning to dispute quarrel Related to the Old En

  • hybrid

    Etymology Hybrid is derived from the Latin word hybrida which means mongrel or off