| Title | operant | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Text |
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary op·er·ant
\\ˈä-pə-rənt\\ adjective DATE 15th century 1. functioning or tending to produce effects : effective an operant conscience 2. of or relating to the observable or measurable 3. of, relating to, or being an operant or operant conditioning operant behavior • op·er·ant·ly adverb
noun DATE 1937 : behavior (as bar pressing by a rat to obtain food) that operates on the environment to produce rewarding and reinforcing effects English Etymology operant operant (adj.) c.1600, "that works," from L. operantem (nom. operans), prp. of operari "to work" (see operation). Psychological sense of "involving behavior modification" coined 1937 by U.S. psychologist B.F. Skinner (e.g. operant conditioning, 1938, Skinner). Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged op·er·ant I. \ˈäpərənt\ adjective Etymology: Latin operant-, operans, present participle of operari 1. : functioning or tending to produce effects : effective < an operant conscience > 2. : of, relating to, or being a behavioral operant < operant conditioning > II. noun (-s) 1. : one that operates : operative , operator 2. : behavior or responses that operate on the environment to produce rewarding and reinforcing effects |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Opt to choose verb optare decide for sth)
Previous card: Operable adjective surgical op·er·a·ble fit desirable use treatment
Up to card list: English learning