Positive Reinforcement
Definition
Positive reinforcement involves adding a rewarding stimulus to increase the likelihood that a desired behavior will be repeated.
Analogy
It's like when your parents give you money for every A grade on your report card. The money (rewarding stimulus) increases the chances that you'll study hard and aim for A grades (desired behavior) in future exams.
Related terms
Reward System: A set of neurological structures responsible for incentive salience (i.e., motivation and "wanting", desire, or craving for a reward).
Primary Reinforcer: Something necessary for survival such as food or water. These can be used as rewards in positive reinforcement scenarios.
Secondary Reinforcer: Something which isn't inherently valuable, but has become desired through association with primary reinforcers. Money is an example.
"Positive Reinforcement" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (7)
- What does the term "positive reinforcement" refer to in operant conditioning?
- How is positive reinforcement related to operant conditioning?
- What could challenge the belief that positive reinforcement always promotes desirable behaviors?
- Which of the following best describes positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?
- What is a primary difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement in operant conditioning?
- How can one argue against the efficacy of positive reinforcement in shaping long-term behavioral changes?
- Which of the following explains why positive reinforcement increases interpersonal attraction according to Operant Conditioning theory?
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