Which of the following best describes operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning is best described as learning based on the consequences of behavior. This concept, primarily developed by B.F. Skinner, involves the idea that behaviors are influenced by the rewards or punishments that follow them. When a behavior is followed by a positive consequence, it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, when a behavior is followed by a negative outcome, it is less likely to recur. This process emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior, making it a fundamental principle in behavioral psychology.

Other options relate to different types of learning or conditioning. The establishment of a reflex response is associated with classical conditioning, where an involuntary response becomes associated with a stimulus. The association of two stimuli also describes classical conditioning, not operant conditioning, which focuses on how behaviors are modified by their outcomes. Lastly, conditioning of emotional responses typically pertains to classical conditioning or other psychological theories, rather than the operant learning framework, which specifically addresses behavioral consequences.