Adding a stimulus to encourage behavior is known as what?

Adding a stimulus to encourage behavior is known as positive reinforcement. This concept is rooted in operant conditioning, where behaviors can be increased or decreased based on the consequences that follow them. When a positive stimulus, such as a reward or praise, is presented after a desired behavior, it increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future.

In practical terms, positive reinforcement can be used effectively in various settings, from education, where teachers reward students for good behavior, to parenting, where parents give praise or treats for positive actions. The key element is that the added stimulus has a favorable effect on the behavior, leading to its reinforcement.

The other options relate to different concepts in behavior modification. Negative punishment involves removing a stimulus to decrease an undesired behavior, while punishment generally refers to introducing an aversive stimulus or removing a pleasant one to decrease a behavior. A conditioned response, on the other hand, refers to a learned reaction that occurs as a result of conditioning, rather than a method to encourage behavior.