What term refers to the consequences of behaviour that increase the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated?

The term that refers to consequences of behavior that increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated is reinforcement. In the context of behavioral psychology, reinforcement is a key concept that encompasses any stimulus that strengthens or increases the probability of a behavior occurring again. This can take the form of positive reinforcement, where a desirable outcome or reward follows the behavior, or negative reinforcement, which involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus as a consequence of the behavior.

Understanding reinforcement is crucial because it highlights how behaviors can be learned and maintained over time. By reinforcing specific behaviors, individuals can shape their own actions or the actions of others within educational, clinical, or everyday settings. This principle is central to various psychological theories, including operant conditioning, which was extensively studied by B.F. Skinner.

In contrast, punishment refers to consequences that aim to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, conditioning generally refers to the learning process itself without specifying the increase or decrease of behavior, and inhibition implies a suppression of behavior rather than an increase. These distinctions help clarify why reinforcement specifically is associated with the strengthening of behavior patterns.