Which of the following is a key characteristic of operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning is fundamentally based on the principle that behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it. This means that when a behavior is followed by a reinforcing consequence, it's more likely to be repeated in the future, while if a behavior is followed by a punishing consequence, it is less likely to be repeated. This concept emphasizes the active role of the learner, who engages in behaviors with the anticipation of gaining rewards or avoiding negative outcomes.

This key characteristic differentiates operant conditioning from other types of learning, such as classical conditioning, where the association is formed between two stimuli rather than focusing on the consequences that follow specific behaviors. In this framework, the subject learns to operate on their environment to influence the outcomes they experience.