What is the difference between reinforcement and reinforcement contingency?

The correct choice highlights a fundamental distinction in behavioral psychology. Reinforcement is indeed a process where a stimulus, following a response, increases the likelihood of that response occurring again in the future. It can be either positive, where a pleasant stimulus is added, or negative, where an unpleasant stimulus is removed, both leading to an increased likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

On the other hand, a reinforcement contingency refers to the specific conditions or rules that determine when a reinforcement will be delivered. This includes factors such as the timing of the reinforcement, the context in which the behavior occurs, and the specific behavior that is being reinforced.

Understanding this distinction is crucial as it helps in designing effective behavior modification strategies. Knowing that reinforcement is about enhancing a behavior and that contingencies are about the conditions under which that enhancement will occur allows practitioners to create more precise interventions that can lead to desired behavioral outcomes.