Which process increases the probability of a behavior by presenting or removing a stimulus after the behavior?

Which process increases the probability of a behavior by presenting or removing a stimulus after the behavior?

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Shaping
• C. Extinction
• D. Punishment

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement increases the likelihood a behavior will occur again by what happens after the behavior: a reinforcing stimulus is added, or an aversive stimulus is removed. Positive reinforcement means presenting a pleasant consequence after the response, while negative reinforcement means removing an unpleasant condition after the response. Both outcomes strengthen the behavior and make it more probable in the future. For example, praise after a correct answer or stopping a loud noise when the action occurs reinforces that behavior. Shaping uses reinforcement to gradually refine behavior toward a target by reinforcing closer and closer approximations, rather than defining the basic after-behavior consequence. Extinction involves stopping reinforcement, which typically reduces the behavior. Punishment relies on presenting or removing a stimulus to decrease the behavior.

Reinforcement increases the likelihood a behavior will occur again by what happens after the behavior: a reinforcing stimulus is added, or an aversive stimulus is removed. Positive reinforcement means presenting a pleasant consequence after the response, while negative reinforcement means removing an unpleasant condition after the response. Both outcomes strengthen the behavior and make it more probable in the future. For example, praise after a correct answer or stopping a loud noise when the action occurs reinforces that behavior.

Shaping uses reinforcement to gradually refine behavior toward a target by reinforcing closer and closer approximations, rather than defining the basic after-behavior consequence. Extinction involves stopping reinforcement, which typically reduces the behavior. Punishment relies on presenting or removing a stimulus to decrease the behavior.