A music teacher praising correct answers to reinforce desired behavior exemplifies which learning theory?

• A. Operant Conditioning
• B. Observational Learning
• C. Classical Conditioning
• D. Insight Learning

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement shaping voluntary behavior is at play. When a music teacher praises correct answers, that praise serves as positive reinforcement, making the student more likely to answer correctly again in the future. This aligns with operant conditioning, where voluntary actions followed by a favorable consequence are strengthened. The praise is a pleasant consequence that increases how often the correct behavior occurs. This differs from classical conditioning, which pairs a neutral stimulus with a reflexive response, and from observational learning, which involves learning by watching others and their outcomes rather than receiving direct feedback for one’s own actions.