Which term occurs when a stimulus change immediately follows a response and increases the future frequency of that type of behavior?

• A. Punishment
• B. Reactivity
• C. Reflex
• D. Reinforcement

Answer: (D)

Reinforcement is a consequence that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. When a stimulus change happens immediately after a response and that change increases future frequency, that’s reinforcement. It can be adding something the person wants (positive reinforcement) or removing something aversive (negative reinforcement). The key is the result: the behavior becomes more likely in the future due to the consequence.

Punishment, by contrast, aims to reduce the behavior, not raise it. A reflex is an automatic, unlearned response that doesn’t depend on a reinforcing consequence. Reactivity refers to changes in behavior caused by being observed or measured, not a reinforcing outcome following a specific response. For example, giving a child praise right after they finish a task makes them more likely to do tasks again in the future, illustrating reinforcement.