National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) Practice Exam

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How is positive reinforcement defined in behavioral therapy?

  1. Adding a stimulus that decreases a behavior

  2. Removing a stimulus that encourages behavior

  3. Adding a stimulus that encourages behavior to continue

  4. Decreasing the frequency of a behavior

The correct answer is: Adding a stimulus that encourages behavior to continue

Positive reinforcement is defined as the process of adding a stimulus that encourages a desired behavior to continue. In behavioral therapy, when a behavior is followed by a positive outcome or reward, it increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future. This concept is based on the principles of operant conditioning, where behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them. For instance, if a child receives praise or a treat for completing their homework, the praise or treat acts as a positive reinforcement, encouraging the child to continue completing homework in the future. This method is effective because it strengthens the connection between the behavior and the positive outcome, leading to lasting behavioral change.

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