Who coined the term operant conditioning?

The term operant conditioning was coined by B.F. Skinner, a prominent psychologist known for his work in behaviorism. This concept is pivotal in understanding how behaviors are influenced by consequences, wherein behaviors followed by reinforcement are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by punishment are less likely to occur. Skinner's experiments with animals, particularly the use of the Skinner box, demonstrated how behaviors could be shaped through reinforcement, illustrating the principles of operant conditioning.

In contrast, Pavlov is well-known for his studies on classical conditioning, which focuses on learning through association. Thorndike introduced the law of effect, which laid the groundwork for operant conditioning but did not specifically define it. Bandura is famous for his work on social learning theory, emphasizing learning through observation rather than reinforcement. Thus, Skinner is the key figure associated with the development and terminology of operant conditioning.