What effect does a positive reinforcer have on behavior?

A positive reinforcer is a stimulus or event that, when it follows a behavior, increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. This principle is grounded in the theory of operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior.

When an individual is rewarded positively for their behavior—such as receiving praise for a job well done, earning tokens for good conduct, or enjoying a treat for completing a task—they begin to associate the behavior with the pleasurable outcome. As a result, this positive reinforcement encourages the repetition of that behavior, strengthening the connection between the action and the positive consequence.

In contrast, alternatives like decreasing the chance of behavior occurring again, having no effect, or only reinforcing negative behavior would not align with the fundamental concept of how positive reinforcement operates. Positive reinforcement is specifically designed to enhance the likelihood of desired behaviors, making option B the accurate choice in this context.