In operant conditioning, what is the term for the outcome that follows a dog's operant behavior?

• A. Response
• B. Cue/Command
• C. Consequence
• D. Response Rule

Answer: (C)

Consequence is the outcome that follows a dog's operant behavior. In operant conditioning, this consequence can reinforce or punish the behavior, shaping how likely the behavior is to occur again. So when the dog sits and receives a treat, the treat acts as a positive reinforcement consequence that increases the chance the dog will sit in the future; or if a time-out follows an unwanted bark, that consequence can reduce the likelihood of barking next time.

Why this fits best: the term specifically names what comes after the behavior and determines future responding, which is the essence of operant conditioning.

The other terms don’t describe the after-effect of the behavior. The action itself is the response, not the outcome. A cue or command is what you present to prompt the behavior, not the consequence. A term like response rule isn’t a standard description of the outcome in this framework.