Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The primary effect of operant conditioning is the selective effects of consequences on behavior. In this learning process, behaviors are modified through the use of reinforcement or punishment. When a behavior is followed by a favorable consequence (reinforcement), it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, if a behavior is followed by an unfavorable consequence (punishment), it is less likely to occur again. This relationship highlights how specific consequences directly influence the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, which is the essence of operant conditioning.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial as it underpins many techniques used in applied behavior analysis. It emphasizes the importance of carefully considering what consequences are applied to behaviors during interventions. This focused approach to modifying behavior through consequences distinguishes operant conditioning from other learning theories, which may not account as explicitly for the role of outcomes in reinforcing or discouraging behaviors.