What is described as adding a stimulus or reward following a desired behavior to increase the likelihood of recurrence?

The process described involves adding a stimulus or reward following a desired behavior with the intention of increasing the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. This concept is known as positive reinforcement, a fundamental principle in behavioral psychology. Positive reinforcement works on the premise that behaviors followed by pleasant consequences are more likely to be repeated.

For example, when a person receives praise or a tangible reward for completing a task, this positive feedback encourages them to perform that task again. By consistently applying positive reinforcement, individuals can strengthen their commitment to desired behaviors, making it a powerful tool in both therapeutic settings and everyday practices.

In contrast, terms such as primary reinforcers refer to stimuli that are inherently reinforcing, such as food or water, while prompts and prompt fading are techniques used to encourage behavior but do not pertain directly to the concept of adding a reward following a behavior. These strategies may help guide individuals but lack the specific element of reward-based reinforcement that characterizes positive reinforcement.