Which of the following is NOT a basic principle of operant conditioning?

The correct answer is that learning occurs through observation, which is not a basic principle of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning, a concept developed by B.F. Skinner, is centered on the idea that behaviors can be modified through the use of reinforcements and punishments. In this framework, reinforcement increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated, while punishment decreases that likelihood. The principles of operant conditioning depend on the relationship between behaviors and the consequences that follow them—reinforcements following desired behaviors encourage their repetition, whereas punishments discourage undesirable behaviors.

In contrast, the idea that learning occurs through observation relates more closely to social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, which emphasizes the role of observational learning in behavior acquisition. While observation can influence behavior, it is not a foundational component of the operant conditioning framework, which focuses on direct experiences with rewards and punishments rather than learning through observing others. This distinction clarifies why the correct answer identifies observational learning as outside the core principles of operant conditioning.