Understanding Operant Level

The question asks for the term describing the frequency of an operant response occurring *before* it is systematically reinforced. This initial, uninfluenced frequency is crucial for measuring the effect of reinforcement later.

Defining Operant Level

The operant level, also known as the baseline frequency, refers to how often a specific behavior (an operant response) naturally occurs without any planned reinforcement or intervention. It represents the behavior's spontaneous occurrence rate prior to experimental manipulation.

Evaluating the Options

• Rate of responding: This is a general measure of frequency but doesn't specifically denote the pre-reinforcement phase.
• Operant level: This term precisely matches the definition of the baseline frequency of an operant response before reinforcement is applied.
• Orienting reflex: This is an automatic response to a change in the environment, unrelated to the learned frequency of operant behaviors.
• Autoclitic behaviour: This relates to verbal behavior influenced by other verbal behavior, not the baseline operant response frequency.

Conclusion

Therefore, the frequency with which an operant response occurs before it is systematically reinforced is called the operant level.