In operant conditioning, a consequence that strengthens the behavior is called what?

In operant conditioning, a consequence that strengthens the behavior is called what?

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

Answer: (D)

Reinforcement is the consequence that increases the likelihood the behavior will happen again. It strengthens the behavior by rewarding or removing an unpleasant element after the behavior occurs. In dog training, giving a treat right after a desired action, like a sit, is positive reinforcement and makes the dog more likely to sit in the future. If the consequence involved taking away something aversive after the behavior, that’s negative reinforcement, which also strengthens the action. The opposite process is punishment, which aims to reduce or stop the behavior. A stimulus is simply the cue or signal in the environment, and a response is the behavior itself, not the consequence.

Reinforcement is the consequence that increases the likelihood the behavior will happen again. It strengthens the behavior by rewarding or removing an unpleasant element after the behavior occurs. In dog training, giving a treat right after a desired action, like a sit, is positive reinforcement and makes the dog more likely to sit in the future. If the consequence involved taking away something aversive after the behavior, that’s negative reinforcement, which also strengthens the action. The opposite process is punishment, which aims to reduce or stop the behavior. A stimulus is simply the cue or signal in the environment, and a response is the behavior itself, not the consequence.