What does the term 'reinforcer' generally refer to?

The term 'reinforcer' generally refers to a consequence that strengthens a behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will be repeated in the future. In the context of reinforcement theory, a reinforcer is any stimulus or event that increases the likelihood of a desired response. This can include positive reinforcers, which add a pleasant stimulus following a behavior, or negative reinforcers, which involve the removal of an unpleasant stimulus. The key characteristic of a reinforcer is its effectiveness in increasing the frequency of a behavior.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts. Creating discomfort or dissatisfaction aligns more with punishment rather than reinforcement, which aims to increase behavior rather than suppress it. Removing privileges is also a form of punishment, intended to decrease an undesirable behavior. Lastly, a reward given regardless of behavior does not serve to strengthen a specific action, as it does not follow the behavior and therefore lacks the necessary association to enhance its occurrence.