Overview
Reinforcement is a fundamental concept in psychology that explains how behaviors are learned and maintained. It involves the use of consequences to strengthen desired behaviors, making them more likely to occur in the future. There are two main types of reinforcement: positive, which adds a pleasant...
Key Terms
Example: Giving a dog a treat for sitting on command.
Example: Rewarding a student with praise for good grades.
Example: Taking painkillers to relieve a headache.
Example: Scolding a child for misbehavior.
Example: Training a rat to press a lever for food.
Example: Using a reward system to encourage good behavior in children.
Related Topics
Classical Conditioning
A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.
intermediateCognitive Behavioral Therapy
A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.
advancedSocial Learning Theory
A theory that suggests people learn from one another through observation, imitation, and modeling.
intermediateKey Concepts
Positive ReinforcementNegative ReinforcementPunishmentOperant Conditioning