What follows a response and decreases the future frequency of that behavior?

What follows a response and decreases the future frequency of that behavior?

• A. Reinforcer
• B. Contingent stimulus
• C. Punishment
• D. Conditioned response

Answer: (C)

The concept being addressed is related to the effects of certain consequences on behavior. When a consequence follows a behavior and diminishes the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future, this is referred to as punishment. Punishment is meant to decrease the frequency of undesirable behaviors by applying an adverse consequence or removing a positive stimulus. In behavior analysis, this is a fundamental principle: if an action leads to a negative outcome or removes a pleasant experience, it makes that action less likely to occur again. This contrasts with the concept of a reinforcer, which would increase the likelihood of a behavior rather than decrease it. Moreover, terms like "contingent stimulus" and "conditioned response" do not specifically address the function of decreasing behavior frequency. Therefore, punishment correctly identifies the mechanism by which a response's future occurrence is less likely, making it the right choice for this question.

The concept being addressed is related to the effects of certain consequences on behavior. When a consequence follows a behavior and diminishes the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future, this is referred to as punishment. Punishment is meant to decrease the frequency of undesirable behaviors by applying an adverse consequence or removing a positive stimulus.

In behavior analysis, this is a fundamental principle: if an action leads to a negative outcome or removes a pleasant experience, it makes that action less likely to occur again. This contrasts with the concept of a reinforcer, which would increase the likelihood of a behavior rather than decrease it.

Moreover, terms like "contingent stimulus" and "conditioned response" do not specifically address the function of decreasing behavior frequency. Therefore, punishment correctly identifies the mechanism by which a response's future occurrence is less likely, making it the right choice for this question.