Glossary / Lexicon

Reinforcement is a term in Operant conditioning, consequences for behavior that strengthen it or increase its frequency. Positive reinforcement involves the contingent delivery of a desired consequence. Negative reinforcement is the contingent escape from an aversive consequence. Unwanted behaviors may result from reinforcement of those behaviors or the failure to reinforce desired behaviors.

Description

Reinforcement is a fundamental concept in psychology that involves the process of increasing the likelihood of a specific behavior occurring again in the future. It is based on the principle that behaviors that are followed by a rewarding stimulus are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are followed by a punishing stimulus are less likely to be repeated. Reinforcement can be either positive, involving the addition of a desirable stimulus, or negative, involving the removal of an aversive stimulus. It plays a crucial role in shaping behavior, learning processes, and forming habits. Reinforcement is widely used in various psychological theories and therapies to modify behavior and achieve desired outcomes.

Application Areas

• Educational settings to encourage and maintain desired behaviors in students
• Behavioral therapy to address and change maladaptive behaviors
• Parenting techniques to reinforce positive behaviors in children
• Employee motivation strategies in workplace settings

Treatment and Risks

• Effective reinforcement strategies can be used to treat a wide range of psychological disorders and conditions
• Over-reliance on reinforcement can lead to the development of dependency on external rewards
• Reinforcement techniques must be carefully implemented to avoid unintended negative consequences

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Reward
• Positive reinforcement
• Punishment (as an opposite concept)
• Operant conditioning

Articles with 'Reinforcement' in the title

• Concurrent schedule of reinforcement: Concurrent schedule of reinforcement refers to a complex schedule consisting of the simultaneous presentation of two (2) or more independent schedules, each leading to a reinforcer
• Conjugate reinforcement procedures: Conjugate reinforcement procedures: Conjugate reinforcement procedures refer to conditioning procedures used in memory research with infants, in which children's behaviors control aspects of a visual display
• Continuous reinforcement schedule: Continuous reinforcement schedule: Continuous reinforcement schedule refers to a system of behavior modification in which certain behaviors are always rewarded or punished, leading to rapid learning of desired responses- a schedule in . . .
• Differential association-reinforcement: Differential association-reinforcement is defined as a theory of criminality based on the incorporation of Psychological learning theory and differential association with Social learning theory
• Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL): Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) : Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) refers to a schedule in which a minimum amount of time must pass between each response before the reinforcer will be delivered- or, more . . .
• Differential reinforcement of paced responding (DRP): Differential reinforcement of paced responding (DRP) : Differential reinforcement of paced responding (DRP) refers to a schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon emitting a series of responses at a set rate- or, more generally, . . .
• Differential reinforcement of successive approximations: Differential reinforcement of successive approximations: Differential reinforcement of successive approximations refers to the procedure of reinforcing only some responses and not others
• Intrinsic reinforcement: Intrinsic reinforcement refers to the self-satisfaction that comes from problem solving or learning something. According to the Gestaltists, this feeling of satisfaction occurs because solving a problem or learning something restores one's . . .
• Negative reinforcement trap: Negative reinforcement trap means unwittingly reinforcing a behavior you want to discourage. The negative reinforcement trap is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals engage in behaviors that lead to the removal of an unpleasant . . .
• Partial reinforcement effect: Partial reinforcement effect is the process whereby behavior that has been maintained on an intermittent or partial schedule of reinforcement extinguishes more slowly than behavior that has been maintained on a continuous schedule- . . .
• Vicarious reinforcement: Vicarious reinforcement refers to a form of learning in which a new behavior is acquired through the process of watching someone else receive reinforcement for the same behavior
• Direct reinforcement: Direct reinforcement refers to a reinforcement that occurs as a direct consequence of a behavior, example, getting paid to work. (See Vicarious reinforcement.)
• Negative reinforcement: Negative reinforcement refers to the removal of aversive conditions when certain behaviors are performed.
• Noncontingent schedule of reinforcement: Noncontingent schedule of reinforcement refers to a schedule in which the reinforcer is delivered independently of any response.
• Differential reinforcement: Differential reinforcement is defined as a procedure involving two (2) or more physically different behaviors: one behavior is reinforced, and all others are extinguished
• Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH): Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH) : Differential reinforcement of high rates (DRH) refers to a schedule in which reinforcement is contingent upon emitting at least a certain number of responses in a certain period of time- . . .
• Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect (PREE): Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect (PREE) : Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect (PREE) means the greater resistance to extinction exhibited for responses learned under partial rather than continuous schedules of reinforcement

Weblinks

• quality-database.eu: 'Reinforcement' in the glossary of the quality-database.eu

Summary

Reinforcement is a key concept in psychology that involves the process of increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future through the use of rewards or punishments. It plays a crucial role in shaping behavior, learning processes, and forming habits. Reinforcement can be positive or negative, depending on whether a desirable stimulus is added or an aversive stimulus is removed. By understanding the principles of reinforcement, psychologists can effectively modify behavior and achieve desired outcomes.

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