If an appetitive stimulus follows a response, what effect may it have on that response?

When an appetitive stimulus follows a response, it is likely to strengthen that response. In behavioral terms, an appetitive stimulus is something that is inherently desirable or pleasant to an individual, such as food, praise, or a preferred activity. When this type of stimulus is presented after a specific behavior, it reinforces that behavior, making it more likely to occur again in the future. This process is known as positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement works on the principle that behaviors followed by rewarding outcomes are more likely to be repeated. For instance, if a child receives praise after completing their homework, the praise serves as an appetitive stimulus that encourages the child to repeat the behavior of doing homework in the future. This highlights the important role of reinforcement in shaping behavior, as the introduction of a positive outcome can lead to increased frequency or intensity of the response associated with it.