What is the primary effect of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?

Positive reinforcement is a fundamental concept in operant conditioning, and its primary effect is that it increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future. When a behavior is followed by a favorable consequence, such as a reward or positive feedback, it strengthens the association between the behavior and the outcome. This encourages the individual to engage in that behavior again when faced with similar situations.

In practice, consider a scenario where a student receives praise from a teacher for completing their homework. The positive reinforcement provided by the praise makes it more likely that the student will continue to complete their homework in the future. This change is a key element in behavior modification, as it highlights how reinforcing desirable behaviors can lead to their increased frequency.

The other options depict effects that do not align with the principles of positive reinforcement, as they suggest a decrease or avoidance of behavior, or no change at all, which are contrary to the intended outcome of providing reinforcement.