What term describes strengthening a behavior by rewarding it or providing consequences to increase its likelihood?

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Punishment
• C. Extinction
• D. Modeling

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement is the act of strengthening a behavior by giving a reward or by removing something unpleasant, which makes that behavior more likely to happen again. In a classroom, when a student uses English and receives praise, a sticker, or another positive consequence, they’re more likely to repeat the behavior. This can be positive reinforcement (adding something pleasant) or negative reinforcement (removing an aversive condition after the behavior occurs, which also increases the likelihood of repetition).

Punishment, by contrast, aims to decrease a behavior by introducing something undesirable. Extinction happens when a behavior stops occurring because it’s no longer reinforced. Modeling is about showing the desired behavior so students can imitate it.