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Reinforcement

 

Techniques Conditioning > Reinforcement

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

Reinforcement is the process of making an action more likely following a given stimulus, such as an intentional cue. This is often called 'strengthening' the action.

A reinforcer is the stimulus that causes reinforcement. These can be positive or negative, depending on whether they cause positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement. A desired reward is a positive reinforcer.

There are a number of terms related to reinforcement, including:

  • A primary reinforcer (or unconditioned reinforcer) is a stimulus that is available naturally, such as food. It does not need to be paired to work.
  • A secondary reinforcer (or conditioned reinforcer) is a stimulus has been learned through pairing with another stimulus (typically a primary reinforcer).
  • Positive reinforcement happens when a desirable action happens as a result of a stimulus, and increases the likelihood of being repeated.
  • Negative reinforcement happens when the likelihood an action increases because an aversive stimulus is removed.
  • Post-training reinforcement is the provision of a reward, such as food, after a training session, in order to encourage retention of learned cues and actions.

Example

When a dog sits on command, its owner gives it a biscuit. Next time, the dog is more likely to sit when told. (Positive reinforcement)

A person who is upset has a drink to blunt the emotional pain. They then keep drinking. (Negative reinforcement)

Discussion

In essence, any stimulus that changes the likelihood of future action is a reinforcer. As we respond to many stimuli, even at an unconscious level, it could be said that all stimuli are reinforcers. This is particularly true in human interaction, where we seek acceptance of others and will note reactions to what we do and then change how we behave in order to gain greater approval.

While stimuli act as reinforcers, reinforcers can also act as stimuli. You can use biscuits as reinforcers to make a dog more likely to sit. Later, if you show the dog a biscuit and it may sit, in hope of receiving the biscuit. Now the biscuit is itself a stimulus.

Cues are not really reinforcers. They are typically commands that have been paired with reinforcing stimuli so they can be used as substitutes. Hence the cue of a raised finger causes a dog to sit, while the reinforcing stimuli is the thought of food or praise that may follow.

Reinforcement can act on memory, for example where a person under repeated interrogation has a false memory implanted.

Reinforcement in its normal usage is 'opposite' to punishment. Punishment includes removing rewards and presenting aversive stimuli. Reinforcement includes giving rewards (positive) and removing aversive stimuli (negative).

See also

Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Reinforcement Schedules, Reward

 

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
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© Changing Works 2002-
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