Question

The terms operant conditioning and instrumental conditioning refer to _____ learning mechanisms.

Answer 1

The terms operant conditioning and instrumental conditioning refer to identical learning mechanisms.

Operant conditioning which is also known as instrumental conditioning is a method of learning that is carried out through punishments and rewards for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

Answer 2

The operant conditioning which is also sometimes referred to as  the instrumental conditioning was first studied or explored by Edward L. Thorndike. He performed a "puzzlebox" experiment in which he observed how animals learned to operate latch mechanisms. This type of learning involves the punishment or reinforcements. The word that would best complete the sentence above is OPERANT.