Which term describes adding a reward following a desired behavior?

Which term describes adding a reward following a desired behavior?

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

Answer: (C)

Adding a reward after a desired behavior strengthens that behavior by making it more likely to occur again. This is positive reinforcement: a pleasant stimulus is added to increase the chance the dog repeats the action. For example, giving a treat right after a dog sits or comes when called teaches the dog to repeat those behaviors because the reward reinforces them. In contrast, positive punishment would add something aversive after an undesired behavior to reduce it (like a spray or a sharp command to discourage barking). Negative punishment takes away something desirable after an undesired behavior to reduce it (like removing a favorite toy or attention). Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus after a desired behavior to increase it (such as releasing pressure on a leash the moment the dog stops pulling). The key idea here is that the wording describes adding a reward, which is positive reinforcement.

Adding a reward after a desired behavior strengthens that behavior by making it more likely to occur again. This is positive reinforcement: a pleasant stimulus is added to increase the chance the dog repeats the action. For example, giving a treat right after a dog sits or comes when called teaches the dog to repeat those behaviors because the reward reinforces them.

In contrast, positive punishment would add something aversive after an undesired behavior to reduce it (like a spray or a sharp command to discourage barking). Negative punishment takes away something desirable after an undesired behavior to reduce it (like removing a favorite toy or attention). Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus after a desired behavior to increase it (such as releasing pressure on a leash the moment the dog stops pulling). The key idea here is that the wording describes adding a reward, which is positive reinforcement.