Which term describes a stimulus change that increases the future frequency of the behavior that immediately precedes it?

• A. Reflex
• B. Reinforcer
• C. Reinforcement
• D. Relevance of Behavior Rule

Answer: (B)

In this item, the key idea is reinforcer: a stimulus change that follows a behavior and increases the future frequency of that same behavior. The reinforcer is the actual stimulus that, when it follows the behavior, makes that behavior more likely to occur again. For example, giving praise or a treat after a task completion strengthens the likelihood of similar task completion in the future because the reinforcer increases the chance the behavior will be repeated. It’s important to distinguish the stimulus from the process: reinforcement refers to the process of increasing behavior, whereas the reinforcer is the stimulus that brings about that increase. A reflex is an automatic response not driven by its effect on future behavior, and the Relevance of Behavior Rule is about selecting behaviors that are meaningful and likely to be reinforced in a given context rather than naming the stimulus itself.