What is positive reinforcement?

What is positive reinforcement?

• A. Adding something desirable to increase behavior
• B. Removing something undesirable to increase behavior
• C. Adding something undesirable to decrease behavior
• D. Removing something desirable to decrease behavior

Answer: (A)

Positive reinforcement is a learning process where a desirable stimulus is added after a behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. The key is that something rewarding is introduced, and the learner values it. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits, or praising a student after they complete a task. By adding a rewarding consequence, the behavior is strengthened and more likely to reoccur. The other ways to change behavior involve different methods: removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior (negative reinforcement), adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (positive punishment), or taking away something desirable to decrease behavior (negative punishment).

Positive reinforcement is a learning process where a desirable stimulus is added after a behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. The key is that something rewarding is introduced, and the learner values it. For example, giving a dog a treat after it sits, or praising a student after they complete a task. By adding a rewarding consequence, the behavior is strengthened and more likely to reoccur. The other ways to change behavior involve different methods: removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior (negative reinforcement), adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (positive punishment), or taking away something desirable to decrease behavior (negative punishment).