Which term describes strengthening a behavior by following it with a favorable consequence?

• A. Positive Reinforcement
• B. Negative Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Extinction

Answer: (A)

Strengthening a behavior by following it with a favorable consequence means you add something pleasant after the behavior occurs, making it more likely to happen again. That is positive reinforcement. For example, giving praise or a small reward after a correct response increases the chance that the response will be emitted again in the future. This is different from negative reinforcement, which strengthens behavior by removing an aversive stimulus (not by adding something pleasant). Punishment aims to decrease behavior by introducing an aversive consequence or removing a desirable one, while extinction involves withholding reinforcement, leading to a decline in the behavior over time.