A stimulus that always comes after the response is called what?

A stimulus that always comes after the response is called what?

• A. Antecedent
• B. Stimulus
• C. Consequence
• D. Positive

Answer: (C)

In operant behavior, what follows a response is called the consequence. A stimulus that comes after the behavior is the consequence because it directly follows and helps determine future behavior; it can reinforce (increase) or punish (decrease) the likelihood of repeating the action. The other terms don’t fit as well: an antecedent is what signals or comes before the action; a generic stimulus doesn’t specify timing relative to the response; and positive simply indicates adding something, not the after-the-action event itself.

In operant behavior, what follows a response is called the consequence. A stimulus that comes after the behavior is the consequence because it directly follows and helps determine future behavior; it can reinforce (increase) or punish (decrease) the likelihood of repeating the action. The other terms don’t fit as well: an antecedent is what signals or comes before the action; a generic stimulus doesn’t specify timing relative to the response; and positive simply indicates adding something, not the after-the-action event itself.