What is the effect of reinforcing desirable behavior in a reinforcement schedule?

• A. Increase probability of desired behavior.
• B. Punish undesirable behavior.
• C. Create dependency.
• D. Increase anxiety.

Answer: (A)

Reinforcement strengthens a behavior by making it more likely to happen again. When you reinforce a desirable behavior, you provide a consequence that follows the behavior (like praise, a token, or a small privilege), which signals that the behavior is worth repeating. Over time, this increases the probability that the patient will display the same desirable behavior again. This is different from punishment, which aims to reduce behavior, and issues like dependency or anxiety are not the intended effect of reinforcement; they would indicate misapplication rather than the basic outcome of reinforcement. For example, after a patient completes a coping skill, giving them positive feedback or a small reward makes it more likely they’ll use that skill again.