Which type of reinforcer increases behavior when presented?

Which type of reinforcer increases behavior when presented?

• A. Positive Reinforcer
• B. Emitted
• C. Environment
• D. Negative Reinforcer

Answer: (A)

A positive reinforcer is something presented after a behavior that increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. In operant conditioning, reinforcement strengthens responses, and when the added stimulus is desirable, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits, or praising a student after completing a task, makes those actions more likely in the future. The crucial point is that the reinforcer is presented contingent on the behavior. Negative reinforcement also increases behavior, but it works by removing an aversive stimulus after the behavior, not by presenting something. The other options don’t describe a reinforcing stimulus: “emitted” refers to the behavior being produced, not a reinforcer; “environment” is the setting, not a reinforcing consequence. Therefore, the type that increases behavior when presented is a positive reinforcer.

A positive reinforcer is something presented after a behavior that increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. In operant conditioning, reinforcement strengthens responses, and when the added stimulus is desirable, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits, or praising a student after completing a task, makes those actions more likely in the future. The crucial point is that the reinforcer is presented contingent on the behavior.

Negative reinforcement also increases behavior, but it works by removing an aversive stimulus after the behavior, not by presenting something. The other options don’t describe a reinforcing stimulus: “emitted” refers to the behavior being produced, not a reinforcer; “environment” is the setting, not a reinforcing consequence. Therefore, the type that increases behavior when presented is a positive reinforcer.