Which scenario best illustrates positive reinforcement?

Which scenario best illustrates positive reinforcement?

• A. Scolding a dog for barking
• B. Removing a dog’s toy after misbehavior
• C. Ignoring a dog when it sits
• D. Giving a dog a treat after it obeys a command

Answer: (D)

Positive reinforcement means adding something desirable to strengthen a behavior. Giving a dog a treat after it obeys a command adds a tasty reward right after the action, making the dog more likely to obey again in the future. This immediate, valued reward solidifies the link between the command, the behavior, and the positive outcome. The other scenarios don’t use a rewarding consequence to increase the behavior: scolding introduces an aversive stimulus to discourage barking (punishment), removing a toy takes away a valued item (negative punishment), and ignoring the dog after a sit reduces attention or payoff (potential extinction). So the treat-after-obedience example best demonstrates positive reinforcement in action.

Positive reinforcement means adding something desirable to strengthen a behavior. Giving a dog a treat after it obeys a command adds a tasty reward right after the action, making the dog more likely to obey again in the future. This immediate, valued reward solidifies the link between the command, the behavior, and the positive outcome. The other scenarios don’t use a rewarding consequence to increase the behavior: scolding introduces an aversive stimulus to discourage barking (punishment), removing a toy takes away a valued item (negative punishment), and ignoring the dog after a sit reduces attention or payoff (potential extinction). So the treat-after-obedience example best demonstrates positive reinforcement in action.