In operant conditioning, which component is a consequence that follows a behavior and alters its future probability?

• A. Antecedent
• B. Behavior
• C. Consequence
• D. Stimulus

Answer: (C)

In operant conditioning, the thing that follows a behavior and changes how likely that behavior is to occur again is the consequence. The consequence is the outcome that follows the action and can either strengthen or weaken future use of that behavior. When the consequence reinforces the behavior, the likelihood of repeating it increases; when the consequence punishes, the likelihood decreases. This is how learningabout which actions produce certain results is built.

The antecedent is what sets the stage or signals that a response is possible, not the after-effect. The behavior is the act itself, the action the animal performs. The stimulus is any environmental event, not specifically the result that follows the action.