In operant conditioning, which outcome increases the frequency of a behavior when it follows a pleasant consequence?

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

Answer: (A)

When a behavior is followed by a pleasant outcome, that behavior tends to occur more often in the future. This is Positive Reinforcement: adding a desirable stimulus after the behavior to strengthen and increase its frequency. For example, giving a child praise or a small treat after they complete a task makes them more likely to repeat that task.

Negative reinforcement, while it also increases behavior, does so by removing something unpleasant rather than adding something pleasant, so it isn’t the same kind of consequence described in the question. Punishment aims to reduce behavior, and extinction reduces behavior by removing reinforcement altogether.