Operant responses are emitted, rather than elicited by stimuli. Thus, the S-R reflex thesis can be reduced to the claim that all behavior is functionally dependent upon the environment. BUT the environment and behavior are causally interdependent. YES, reciprocal determination , in which organisms alter the environment that controls them, is incorporated into many behaviorist theories. These characteristics are accounted for non-teleologically in the three ways detailed below.
Purpose is a state of the organism that determines the relationship between stimuli and responses.
Purpose is a state variable that is brought about by certain motivational variables and that increases the probability of a certain class of responses. Purpose can be explained as stimuli that are maintained until eliminated by a goal-response. Behavior shows persistence because different goal-responses will continue to be emitted until the stimuli disappear. Behavior shows flexibility when new goal-responses succeed in eliminating the stimuli. Goal-directedness is only apparent, not real.