FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What term describes a pleasant or unpleasant effect that follows a behavior?

1. Consequence

2. Reinforcement

3. Autonomous morality

4. Zone of proximal development

The correct answer is: Consequence

The term that best describes a pleasant or unpleasant effect that follows a behavior is a consequence. In the context of behavioral psychology, consequences refer to the outcomes that result from specific actions or behaviors. They can influence future behaviors by either encouraging or discouraging them. For instance, if a student studies hard and receives a good grade, the positive outcome serves as a pleasant consequence, likely motivating the student to continue studying in the same manner. Conversely, if a student misbehaves and faces disciplinary action, the negative outcome acts as an unpleasant consequence that may dissuade such behavior in the future. Reinforcement is also related to behavior outcomes but specifically refers to positive or negative stimuli that increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. It's a narrower term that focuses on enhancing behaviors rather than simply categorizing the effects that follow them. Autonomous morality pertains to the stage of moral development where individuals base their ethical decisions on their own principles rather than external authority, which differs fundamentally from the concept of consequences in behavior. The zone of proximal development refers to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with guidance and encouragement from a skilled partner. It relates more to cognitive development and learning rather than directly describing the effects of behaviors.