Reinforcement 101 Practice Test

The process described as the presentation of a desired stimulus after a behavior is known as positive reinforcement. This concept in reinforcement theory involves adding a pleasant or rewarding stimulus immediately following a desired behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. For example, if a student receives praise or a reward for completing their homework on time, they may be more inclined to continue completing homework promptly.

This mechanism is foundational in shaping behavior, as it reinforces actions by providing something desirable, rather than removing something unpleasant or unfavorable, which is the approach taken in negative reinforcement. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effectively applying reinforcement strategies in various contexts, such as education, training, or behavior modification.