Getting an A after studying hard for an exam illustrates which principle?

• A. Positive reinforcement
• B. Negative reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Negative punishment

Answer: (A)

Positive reinforcement is at work here: the behavior of studying hard is followed by a rewarding outcome, the high grade. Because that desirable result is added after the studying, it increases the likelihood you’ll study hard again to get another A in the future. This differs from negative reinforcement, which would involve removing something unpleasant to strengthen a behavior, and from punishment (or negative punishment), which aims to reduce a behavior by adding an unpleasant outcome or removing something desirable. So the scenario best illustrates positive reinforcement.