What is operant conditioning primarily focused on?

Operant conditioning is a learning process that focuses on how behaviors are shaped and maintained through their consequences. This approach, developed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment. When a behavior is followed by a reward (reinforcement), it increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated, while if it is followed by a punishment, it decreases the likelihood of its recurrence. This mechanism allows individuals to learn which behaviors lead to positive outcomes and which do not, making it a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology.

The other choices reflect different learning principles: observational learning involves acquiring new behaviors by watching others, repetition focuses on practicing behaviors to enhance skill and memory, and tradition refers to learning based on the transmission of customs and beliefs within a culture. While these concepts are relevant in the broader context of learning theories, they do not encapsulate the essential focus of operant conditioning, which is solely concerned with the relationship between behavior and its consequences.