One key concept of behaviorism is "Operant Conditioning." Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it. It's based on the idea that behaviors are shaped by the outcomes they produce.

Example in Practice: Consider a classroom scenario where a teacher is using operant conditioning to manage student behavior. When a student completes their homework and submits it on time (desired behavior), the teacher provides positive reinforcement in the form of praise or a small reward (consequence). This positive consequence makes it more likely that the student will continue to complete their homework on time in the future.

On the other hand, if a student disrupts the class by talking out of turn (undesired behavior), the teacher might use negative reinforcement by giving the student a time-out (consequence). The negative consequence is intended to reduce the occurrence of the disruptive behavior.

Operant conditioning is used in various educational, clinical, and behavioral settings to modify behavior. It's commonly employed in classrooms, therapy sessions, and even in parenting to encourage desirable behavior and discourage undesirable behavior. While it's an effective tool for behavior modification, it has its limits. Operant conditioning may not address the underlying causes of certain behaviors, and overreliance on it can lead to issues like external motivation, where individuals only behave in a certain way to avoid punishment or gain rewards, rather than internalizing the desired behaviors.