What term is used for anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated?

The term that refers to anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated is "reinforcer." In the context of operant conditioning, a reinforcer can be defined as a consequence that follows a behavior and increases the probability of that behavior occurring again in the future. Reinforcers can be positive, such as treats or praise that improve the likelihood of a desired behavior, or negative, where removal of an unpleasant stimulus encourages a behavior.

Understanding the role of reinforcers is crucial for effective dog training, as trainers aim to reinforce behaviors they want to see repeated. This can lead to desirable outcomes in a dog's training and overall behavior. In contrast, stimuli and consequences are broader terms that may not specifically address their impact on the likelihood of behavior repetition. Aversives refer to unpleasant stimuli used to reduce unwanted behavior, which works in the opposite direction of reinforcement.