Which statement best describes the effect of reinforcers on behavior probability?

• A. Decrease probability
• B. Increase probability
• C. No effect
• D. Variable effect

Answer: (B)

Reinforcers are outcomes that follow a behavior and make that behavior more likely to occur again. They work by strengthening the connection between the behavior and its consequence. This can happen in two ways: adding something pleasant (positive reinforcement) or removing something unpleasant (negative reinforcement). Either way, the effect is to increase the probability that the behavior will be repeated in the future. It’s helpful to remember that reinforcement, not punishment, is what raises the likelihood of a behavior. The strength of reinforcement can depend on factors like how immediate it is, how strong it is, and how consistently it occurs, but the core idea is that reinforcers raise the odds of the behavior happening again.