What is reinforcement?
Reinforcement is a stimulus that increases the probability that a behavior will be repeated.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a stimulus is presented after a behavior, increasing the likelihood that that behavior will be repeated. For example, if a child receives praise after cleaning his room, he is more likely to clean his room again in the future.
Examples :
A dog receives a treat after sitting when told to.
A student receives a good grade after completing an assignment.
An employee receives a bonus after meeting their sales goals.
negative reinforcement
Negative reinforcement occurs when a stimulus is removed after a behavior, increasing the likelihood that that behavior will be repeated. For example, if a child stops screaming after his parents take away the television, he is more likely to stop screaming in the future.
Examples:
A child stops crying after his parents give him a glass of water.
An employee quits smoking after his doctor warns him about the health risks.
A driver stops driving fast after getting a speeding ticket.
Conclusions
Reinforcement is a powerful tool that can be used to increase or decrease the frequency of behaviors. It is important to understand the different types of reinforcement and how they are used to select the appropriate type of reinforcement for each situation.