Which theory states that development consists of patterns of behavioral changes brought about by rewards and punishments?

• A. Watson's Theory
• B. Piaget's Cognitive Development
• C. Thorndike's Law of Effect
• D. Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Answer: (D)

Development occurs as patterns of behavioral changes driven by consequences. In operant conditioning, a behavior followed by a reward becomes more likely to occur again, while a behavior followed by punishment or the removal of a positive outcome becomes less likely. Over time, these reinforcing and punishing outcomes shape consistent patterns of behavior, contributing to how a person learns new skills, habits, and responses. This framework, attributed to B.F. Skinner, focuses on how voluntary actions are molded by their consequences, making it the best fit for describing development as driven by rewards and punishments. While Thorndike’s Law of Effect proposed a similar idea—that satisfying outcomes strengthen behavior—Skinner’s approach provides a more explicit, systematized view of how reinforcement schedules guide behavior across different situations.