Which concept describes a change that occurs after a response and increases the likelihood of that response in the future?

Which concept describes a change that occurs after a response and increases the likelihood of that response in the future?

• A. Punishment
• B. Reinforcement
• C. Rewards
• D. Stimulus

Answer: (B)

Reinforcement is a consequence that follows a behavior and makes that behavior more likely to occur again. It can be positive reinforcement, where something desirable is added after the behavior (like praise or a treat), or negative reinforcement, where an unpleasant condition is removed (like stopping an annoying task once the behavior is performed). Because reinforcement strengthens the connection between the action and its outcome, the behavior tends to be repeated in the future. Punishment aims to reduce the behavior, not increase it, so it doesn’t fit. A stimulus is a broader term for any event that can influence behavior, but it doesn’t specify that the outcome will increase the likelihood of the behavior. Rewards are a form of reinforcement, but the general concept described here is reinforcement itself.

Reinforcement is a consequence that follows a behavior and makes that behavior more likely to occur again. It can be positive reinforcement, where something desirable is added after the behavior (like praise or a treat), or negative reinforcement, where an unpleasant condition is removed (like stopping an annoying task once the behavior is performed). Because reinforcement strengthens the connection between the action and its outcome, the behavior tends to be repeated in the future. Punishment aims to reduce the behavior, not increase it, so it doesn’t fit. A stimulus is a broader term for any event that can influence behavior, but it doesn’t specify that the outcome will increase the likelihood of the behavior. Rewards are a form of reinforcement, but the general concept described here is reinforcement itself.