In operant conditioning, what is the result of reinforcing a desired behavior?

Advance your understanding for the Human Growth and Development Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification!

Multiple Choice

In operant conditioning, what is the result of reinforcing a desired behavior?

Explanation:
Reinforcement makes the behavior more likely to occur again by following the behavior with something the organism finds rewarding (or by removing something unpleasant). When a desired behavior is reinforced, the individual learns that performing it leads to a positive outcome, so the behavior is strengthened and more likely to be repeated. This contrasts with punishment, which aims to reduce behavior, or a no-effect scenario where nothing changes.

Reinforcement makes the behavior more likely to occur again by following the behavior with something the organism finds rewarding (or by removing something unpleasant). When a desired behavior is reinforced, the individual learns that performing it leads to a positive outcome, so the behavior is strengthened and more likely to be repeated. This contrasts with punishment, which aims to reduce behavior, or a no-effect scenario where nothing changes.

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