A Guide to Operant Behavior
Operant behavior in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) looks at actions that are shaped and maintained by their resulting consequences. These behaviors can increase or decrease in frequency depending on whether they are followed by reinforcement or punishment.
Example: A person raising their hand in class to answer a question is operant behavior because that action may be reinforced by the teacher’s praise, increasing the likelihood that they would raise their hand again.
Explore Our ABA Courses & Study Resources
Access a wide range of professional resources, study bundles, and continuing education opportunities.