Positive/Negative
Reinforcement

Reinforcement can be
positive or negative that can either deliver or reduce something to achieve a
certain result. Praises and scolding are forms of reinforcers. In operant
conditioning, it is desired for a specific response to occur. Positive
reinforcement involves adding something in order to receive a specific response.
An example of this can be giving your child allowance after they have cleaned
their room. If you get a good grade on a test and the teacher says “great work!”
you are more inclined to want to work harder to receive that same response next
time. Accuracy, duration, frequency, and persistence are all important measures
when monitoring a response. Positive reinforcement should be manipulated and
given on a fixed schedule. This way, in the early stages of learning particularly,
a positive result can be ensured close to every time.
Negative reinforcement
comes from wanting to avoid an adverse stimulus. An example of this is avoiding
the doctors to receive a shot that you know could potentially make you sick. Another
negative reinforcer is telling a class they do not have homework because they received
a good grade on the test. Kids will always work harder to improve and be more
productive in the classroom if this continues to occur. Different types of reinforcement
can contribute to learning and behavior, however, it is imperative to
understand what constitutes those reinforcers.
Reference
Cherry, K. (2022). Positive and Negative Reinforcement
in Operant
Conditioning. How Reinforcement Is Used in
Psychology.
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