Operant behavior

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There are multiple factors involved in any behavioral event. The network of factors and effects is called operant behavior. An operant behavior acts on the environment to produce a consequence and in turn is controlled by, or occurs again in the future as a result of, its immediate consquence. The consequence that strengthens an operant behavior is called a reinforcer. For example, a child cried at night when her parents put her to bed. The child's crying was an operant behavior. The reinforcer for her crying was the parents' attention. Because crying at night resulted in this immediate consequence (reinforcer), the child's crying was strengthened: She was more likely to cry at night in the future.