Operant behavior is a term used in the field of behavioral psychology to describe the consequences of an individual’s behavior on the environment. It is often associated with B.F. Skinner, who developed the theory of operant conditioning. There are three types of operant behaviors: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment.

Positive reinforcement is when a behavior is rewarded with something desirable, such as a toy or treat. Negative reinforcement is when a behavior is followed by something unpleasant, such as taking away a toy or being scolded. Punishment is when a behavior is followed by something that is unpleasant or aversive, which can be physical or psychological.

Which of the following is most clearly an operant behavior? The most clear example of an operant behavior is the act of pushing a button to receive food from a vending machine. This is an example of positive reinforcement, as the button-pushing behavior is rewarded with something desirable.

Another example of an operant behavior is avoiding loud noises by turning off the music. This is an example of negative reinforcement, as the avoidance of the loud noise is rewarded with silence.

Finally, an example of punishment as an operant behavior is being scolded for playing in the mud. Here, the act of playing in the mud is followed by something unpleasant: the scolding. This is an example of punishment as an operant behavior.

In conclusion, the most clear example of an operant behavior is pushing a button to receive food from a vending machine, as this is an example of positive reinforcement. Other examples of operant behavior include avoiding loud noises by turning off the music (which is an example of negative reinforcement) and being scolded for playing in the mud (which is an example of punishment).