Reinforcement in operant conditioning refers to:

Reinforcement in operant conditioning refers to:

• A. A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
• B. The removal of a stimulus after a behavior occurs.
• C. A specific response that increases the probability that the behavior will be repeated.
• D. A subjective feeling after performing a behavior.

Answer: (C)

Reinforcement strengthens a behavior by making it more likely to occur again. It’s the consequence that follows a behavior and increases the chance that the behavior will be repeated in the future. This can be positive reinforcement (adding something desirable) or negative reinforcement (removing an aversive stimulus), both of which raise the likelihood of the behavior reoccurring. The description that says reinforcement is a consequence that increases the probability the behavior will be repeated fits this idea directly. For example, praise after a correct answer or removing an undesired chore after good behavior both serve to boost the chances the behavior will happen again. The other options describe punishment, a removal of a stimulus without explicitly linking to increased future behavior, or a subjective feeling, none of which capture the defining effect of reinforcement.

Reinforcement strengthens a behavior by making it more likely to occur again. It’s the consequence that follows a behavior and increases the chance that the behavior will be repeated in the future. This can be positive reinforcement (adding something desirable) or negative reinforcement (removing an aversive stimulus), both of which raise the likelihood of the behavior reoccurring. The description that says reinforcement is a consequence that increases the probability the behavior will be repeated fits this idea directly. For example, praise after a correct answer or removing an undesired chore after good behavior both serve to boost the chances the behavior will happen again. The other options describe punishment, a removal of a stimulus without explicitly linking to increased future behavior, or a subjective feeling, none of which capture the defining effect of reinforcement.