What term describes the relationship between two events that can often be expressed as an "if/then" statement?

The term that describes the relationship between two events that can often be expressed as an "if/then" statement is contingency. This concept refers to the idea that one event is dependent on another; if one condition is met, then the other event will occur as a result. For example, if a specific behavior is performed (the "if" condition), then a certain consequence or outcome will follow (the "then" result). This relationship is fundamental in understanding behavior analysis, as it highlights how behaviors are influenced by their consequences or preceding events.

The concept of contiguity relates to the temporal proximity of events rather than their conditional relationship. Extinction refers to the process of reducing behaviors by discontinuing reinforcement, while punishment involves any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future. None of these accurately capture the "if/then" conditional nature of the relationship described in the question.