What is the term for the rewards or punishments incorporated in behavior change theories?

Reinforcement is the term used in behavior change theories to describe the rewards or punishments that influence an individual's behavior. It plays a crucial role in shaping future behaviors by increasing the probability of a behavior being repeated or decreasing its likelihood. Positive reinforcement involves providing a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior, which encourages that behavior to occur again. On the other hand, negative reinforcement or punishment aims to discourage undesirable behaviors by applying adverse consequences.

Expectations refer to the beliefs about the outcomes of specific behaviors but do not directly involve the mechanics of reinforcement. Behavioral capability pertains to an individual's skills and knowledge to perform a behavior, rather than the external rewards or punishments associated with it. Emotional arousal relates to the emotional responses that accompany behavior, capturing a person's feelings but not the reinforcement aspect itself. Thus, reinforcement is the most appropriate term to describe the system of rewards and punishments in behavior change theories.