ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

Operant conditioning examines relationships between behaviors and what?

1. Their antecedents

2. Their consequences

3. Self-efficacy

4. Self-control

The correct answer is: Their consequences

Operant conditioning focuses on the relationship between behaviors and their consequences, which is a core principle of the theory developed by B.F. Skinner. This method emphasizes that behaviors are influenced by the outcomes that follow them. When a behavior is followed by a rewarding consequence, it is more likely to be repeated in the future, while behaviors followed by undesirable consequences are less likely to be repeated. This concept lays the foundation for understanding how reinforcement and punishment shape behavior over time. In the context of the other choices, antecedents refer to events or situations that occur before a behavior and can influence its occurrence, but they do not directly capture the essence of operant conditioning, which is primarily concerned with what happens after the behavior. Self-efficacy relates to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed, and self-control involves the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. While these concepts may be relevant in a broader discussion about behavior and change, they are not central to the mechanics of operant conditioning itself.