Operant for Dummies

Operant is a word that we often use to describe something in the world of psychology. Now, don't let that big word scare you! I'm here to break it down for you and make it super easy to understand. Are you ready?

So, when we talk about something being "operant," we're actually talking about a kind of behavior. But not just any behavior, it's a behavior that happens as a result of something else happening. Let me explain that a bit more. Think about when you do something and then something else happens as a result. For example, when you complete your homework, you get a gold star from me! In that case, completing your homework is the "operant" behavior because it resulted in getting that shiny gold star.

Now, let's dig a little deeper into what "operant" means by looking at it from a different angle. Have you ever heard of a science experiment where someone gets rewarded for doing something? Well, that's actually related to this idea of "operant." In these experiments, scientists would study how different animals or even people learn new things by receiving rewards or consequences. They are looking at how their behavior changes based on what happens to them.

For example, imagine you are training a dog to do a trick, like rolling over. If the dog rolls over and you give them a treat, the roll over behavior becomes "operant" because it was influenced by the treat. The dog learned that when they roll over, they will get a yummy reward. So, the operant behavior is the action of rolling over because it is connected to the treat.

Now, let's explore one more aspect of what "operant" means. Sometimes, instead of getting a reward, someone might experience a consequence for their behavior. Imagine you forgot to do your chores, and as a result, you are not allowed to watch TV for the evening. In this case, not being able to watch TV is the consequence, and your forgetting to do chores is the operant behavior that led to that consequence.

So, in summary, "operant" means a behavior that happens as a result of something else happening. It's like a cause-and-effect relationship, where the behavior is influenced by a reward or consequence. Whether it's getting a gold star for completing your homework or a dog rolling over for a treat, the operant behavior is all about the action that leads to a specific outcome.