What does reinforcement describe when a consequence increases the likelihood of appropriate behavior in the future?

Reinforcement refers to the process whereby the consequences of a behavior increase the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. When an individual is reinforced after exhibiting a particular behavior, they are more likely to repeat that behavior because it has been followed by a favorable outcome.

In the context of appropriate behavior, reinforcement serves as a powerful tool in behavior modification and teaching. When we provide a reward or positive outcome following a desired behavior, we encourage that behavior's recurrence. This can include positive reinforcement, where a desirable stimulus is added, or negative reinforcement, where an unpleasant stimulus is removed, both of which serve to increase the behavior.

The other concepts mentioned, such as punishment or positive punishment, actually denote strategies that decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future. Therefore, they do not align with the idea of increasing the likelihood of appropriate behavior, which is the central tenet of reinforcement. This makes the term reinforcement the correct choice, as it specifically addresses the goal of increasing positive behavior through conducive consequences.