What type of consequence strengthens a response by providing a pleasurable outcome?

The correct answer is rooted in the principles of operant conditioning. A positive reinforcer is a consequence that is added following a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future due to the pleasurable outcome it produces. For example, if a student studies hard and receives praise from a teacher, the praise serves as a positive reinforcer that encourages the student to continue studying diligently.

The concept of a positive reinforcer contrasts with other types of consequences in operant conditioning, such as negative reinforcement, which involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to strengthen a behavior. While both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement serve to increase behavior, it is the pleasurable nature of the positive reinforcer that specifically defines its role in this context. A punisher, on the other hand, is designed to decrease a behavior by introducing an aversive outcome, and a neutral stimulus does not have any significant impact on behavior in the context of reinforcement. Thus, a positive reinforcer is the type of consequence that leads to a strengthening of a response through pleasurable outcomes.