What does operant conditioning focus on?

Operant conditioning is a learning process that involves modifying behavior through the use of reinforcement and punishment. It emphasizes how consequences for a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. When a behavior is followed by a rewarding consequence (reinforcement), the behavior is likely to increase, while if the behavior is followed by an unpleasant consequence (punishment), it is likely to decrease. This fundamental principle is central to understanding operant conditioning, making the focus on reinforcement and punishment in behavior change the correct answer.

In contrast, the other options address different psychological concepts. Involuntary behaviors relate more to classical conditioning or reflexive responses, genetic predispositions pertain to biological or nature-based explanations for behavior, and social norms relate to the external societal influences on behavior rather than the internal reinforcement processes outlined in operant conditioning.