Reinforcement
Definition
Reinforcement is a consequence that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior by providing a desirable outcome or removing an undesirable one.
Analogy
It's like getting extra dessert for cleaning your room. The extra dessert (reinforcer) makes it more likely you'll clean your room again in the future (behavior).
Related terms
Positive Reinforcement: Adding something desirable to increase a behavior.
Negative Reinforcement: Removing something undesirable to increase a behavior.
Operant Conditioning: A type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences.
"Reinforcement" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (11)
- Which psychological perspective would most likely challenge the Behaviorist's assertion that all behavior is a result of conditioning and reinforcement?
- Which type of reinforcement is presented in order to decrease a behavior?
- What type of reinforcement increases behavior by stopping or reducing negative stimuli?
- Which learning theory emphasizes the importance of reinforcement in shaping behavior?
- How does reinforcement influence learning outcomes according to operant conditioning principles?
- What theory suggests language acquisition is learned through imitation and reinforcement?
- Which theory would suggest that a child learns language through reinforcement, such as praise and rewards?
- Which psychological theory would argue against the idea that children learn language solely through imitation and reinforcement?
- Which psychological approach places an emphasis on the role of reinforcement in language acquisition?
- Which theory believes that language acquisition is strongly influenced by reinforcement and conditioning?
- Which approach primarily uses techniques such as conditioning and reinforcement when treating disorders?
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