What term describes the strategy of reinforcing a desired response every time?

The strategy of reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs is best described by the term continuous reinforcement. This approach is essential for establishing new behaviors because it provides consistent feedback and motivation for the individual, making it clear which behaviors are desirable. When a behavior is reinforced every single time it is exhibited, the learner quickly understands the association between the behavior and the reward, leading to faster acquisition of the new behavior.

In practice, continuous reinforcement is often used during the initial stages of behavior training or shaping, where the goal is to ensure that the individual grasps what is expected of them. Once the behavior is well established, it may be beneficial to transition to a different reinforcement schedule, such as intermittent reinforcement, to maintain the behavior over a longer period or in different contexts. This gradual shift helps prevent the behavior from becoming dependent solely on continuous reinforcement, which can lead to difficulties when reinforcement is not available.