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Mechanism

Definition

A mechanism in operant conditioning refers to the process or factor that encourages the repetition of a behavior.

Analogy

Think of a vending machine that dispenses snacks when you insert money. The mechanism in this case would be the mechanism inside the vending machine that recognizes and responds to the inserted money, encouraging you to repeat the behavior of inserting money in order to obtain a snack.

Related terms

Reinforcement: In operant conditioning, reinforcement is a type of mechanism that strengthens and increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is a specific type of mechanism in which a pleasant or desirable consequence is presented after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Negative Reinforcement: Negative reinforcement is another type of mechanism where an unpleasant or aversive stimulus is removed or avoided after performing a certain behavior, increasing the chances of repeating that behavior.