Which term describes the process of increasing the frequency of a desired behavior by providing rewards or consequences?

Which term describes the process of increasing the frequency of a desired behavior by providing rewards or consequences?

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

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement is the process of increasing how often a desired behavior occurs by providing a reward or removing an unpleasant condition after the behavior happens. When a student is praised or given a token for answering correctly, the likelihood of them repeating that behavior goes up. There are two forms: positive reinforcement adds a pleasant consequence, and negative reinforcement removes an aversive condition to strengthen the behavior. Punishment, by contrast, introduces something unpleasant or removes something desirable to decrease a behavior. Extinction happens when reinforcement stops for a behavior, so it gradually fades away. Modeling is about showing a behavior for others to imitate.

Reinforcement is the process of increasing how often a desired behavior occurs by providing a reward or removing an unpleasant condition after the behavior happens. When a student is praised or given a token for answering correctly, the likelihood of them repeating that behavior goes up. There are two forms: positive reinforcement adds a pleasant consequence, and negative reinforcement removes an aversive condition to strengthen the behavior.

Punishment, by contrast, introduces something unpleasant or removes something desirable to decrease a behavior. Extinction happens when reinforcement stops for a behavior, so it gradually fades away. Modeling is about showing a behavior for others to imitate.