The outcome following a behavior that can influence future behavior is called what?

The outcome following a behavior that can influence future behavior is called what?

• A. Consequence
• B. Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Punisher

Answer: (A)

The outcome following a behavior that can influence future behavior is called a consequence. In ABA, a consequence is anything that happens after a behavior and can affect how likely that behavior is to occur again. Reinforcement and punishment are specific kinds of consequences: reinforcement strengthens or maintains a behavior, while punishment weakens it. A punisher is the stimulus that can produce punishment, rather than the general term for the outcome itself. So the umbrella term that fits the description best is consequence.

The outcome following a behavior that can influence future behavior is called a consequence. In ABA, a consequence is anything that happens after a behavior and can affect how likely that behavior is to occur again. Reinforcement and punishment are specific kinds of consequences: reinforcement strengthens or maintains a behavior, while punishment weakens it. A punisher is the stimulus that can produce punishment, rather than the general term for the outcome itself. So the umbrella term that fits the description best is consequence.