The addition of a positive consequence after a desired behavior to increase the frequency of that behavior is referred to as:

• A. Negative reinforcement
• B. Punishment
• C. Positive reinforcement
• D. Response cost

Answer: (C)

Positive reinforcement is about adding something pleasant after a behavior to make that behavior happen more often. In this scenario, a positive consequence is delivered following the desired behavior, which strengthens it and increases the likelihood it will be repeated. For example, giving praise, a reward, or a treat after someone completes a task makes them more likely to do the task again.

This differs from negative reinforcement, which would increase the behavior by removing an unpleasant situation rather than adding something good. Punishment would aim to decrease the behavior by introducing something aversive or removing a positive stimulus, not by adding a positive consequence after the behavior. Response cost involves taking away a valued resource to reduce the behavior. The defining feature here is that a positive, desirable outcome is presented after the target behavior to boost its future occurrence.