Which concept refers to the likelihood that behavior will occur based on reinforcement or punishment?

The concept that refers to the likelihood that behavior will occur based on reinforcement or punishment is operant conditioning. This theory, developed by B.F. Skinner, demonstrates how behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it. In operant conditioning, behaviors that are reinforced (rewarded) are more likely to be repeated, while those that are punished are less likely to occur in the future.

This principle highlights the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior through rewards and consequences, making it a foundational concept in behavior modification and learning theory. Understanding this concept is vital as it explains how behavior can be systematically altered by manipulating reinforcement and punishment, allowing for practical applications in various fields such as education and therapy.

Reciprocal determinism, behaviorism, and classical conditioning, while they address aspects of behavior and learning, do not specifically center around the use of reinforcement and punishment to shape behavior in the same direct way that operant conditioning does.