What is the term for when a behavior is immediately followed by the presentation of a stimulus that increases the likelihood of that behavior?

The term that describes a situation where a behavior is immediately followed by the presentation of a stimulus that increases the likelihood of that behavior is known as positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement occurs when a reward or a pleasant stimulus is provided immediately after the desired behavior, which strengthens the behavior and makes it more likely to occur in the future.

This process involves adding a desirable outcome after a behavior—such as praise, a treat, or any form of reward—that enhances the probability of that behavior being repeated. In contrast, negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus, which also increases the likelihood of a behavior but does so through eliminating something aversive rather than adding a reward.

In terms of the other options, positive punishment refers to the introduction of an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again, while negative punishment involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus to diminish a behavior. Neither of these processes contribute to the strengthening of the desired behavior as effectively as positive reinforcement does.