In operant conditioning, which element most directly influences whether a behavior will be repeated?

• A. Cue or command
• B. Response rule
• C. Consequences (results of the response)
• D. Dog's innate temperament

Answer: (C)

In operant conditioning, what happens after a behavior directly affects whether that behavior will occur again. When a behavior is followed by a rewarding consequence, the likelihood of repeating it increases; when it’s followed by an undesirable outcome, the likelihood decreases. So the consequences act as the decisive driver for future repetition.

The cue or command helps the animal know when to perform the behavior, but it doesn’t by itself determine whether the behavior will be repeated. A reaction rule or the animal’s innate temperament can shape learning in other ways, but they don’t directly govern repetition the way consequences do. In training a trained working dog, reinforcing desirable behaviors with rewards is what most clearly strengthens their repeat occurrence.