Science and Human Behavior, Chapter 5: Operant Behavior, Quote 18

Science and Human Behavior“It is not correct to say that operant reinforcement “strengthens the response which precedes it.” The response has already occurred and cannot be changed. What is changed is the future probability of responses in the same class.  It is the operant as a class of behavior, rather than the response as a particular instance, which is conditioned.” (p. 87)