What is the process called in which a reward is used to get an animal to repeat a behavior?

What is the process called in which a reward is used to get an animal to repeat a behavior?

• A. Food reinforcement
• B. Positive reinforcement
• C. Negative reinforcement
• D. Motivational reinforcement

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that reinforcement is any consequence that makes a behavior more likely to happen again. When you use a reward after the animal performs the desired action, you’re adding something desirable to encourage that action in the future—that is positive reinforcement. Food is a common reward, so giving a treat after the behavior is an example of positive reinforcement, but the overall process is described as positive reinforcement, not just “food reinforcement.” Negative reinforcement would involve removing an unpleasant condition to increase the behavior, which is a different mechanism. “Motivational reinforcement” isn’t a standard term for this concept.

The key idea is that reinforcement is any consequence that makes a behavior more likely to happen again. When you use a reward after the animal performs the desired action, you’re adding something desirable to encourage that action in the future—that is positive reinforcement. Food is a common reward, so giving a treat after the behavior is an example of positive reinforcement, but the overall process is described as positive reinforcement, not just “food reinforcement.” Negative reinforcement would involve removing an unpleasant condition to increase the behavior, which is a different mechanism. “Motivational reinforcement” isn’t a standard term for this concept.