If a type of stimulus following a response may strengthen that response (function as reinforcement), which term describes that stimulus?

If a type of stimulus following a response may strengthen that response (function as reinforcement), which term describes that stimulus?

• A. Punisher
• B. Discriminative stimulus
• C. Appetitive
• D. Negative punishment

Answer: (C)

Reinforcement strengthens a behavior when a stimulus that follows the behavior makes that behavior more likely to occur again. An appetitive stimulus is something the organism finds desirable or valuable, so when it is presented after a response, it functions as a reinforcer and increases the likelihood of that response in the future. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits is an appetitive reinforcer—the dog wants the treat, so the sitting behavior is more likely to happen again. The other terms don’t fit this role: a punisher decreases behavior, a discriminative stimulus signals that reinforcement is available but isn’t itself the reinforcing stimulus, and negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to reduce a behavior.

Reinforcement strengthens a behavior when a stimulus that follows the behavior makes that behavior more likely to occur again. An appetitive stimulus is something the organism finds desirable or valuable, so when it is presented after a response, it functions as a reinforcer and increases the likelihood of that response in the future. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits is an appetitive reinforcer—the dog wants the treat, so the sitting behavior is more likely to happen again.

The other terms don’t fit this role: a punisher decreases behavior, a discriminative stimulus signals that reinforcement is available but isn’t itself the reinforcing stimulus, and negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to reduce a behavior.