Reinforcement

Reinforcement is to strengthen. Strengthening the stimulus strengthens or increases the probability of a specific response.

Positive reinforcement is adding something in order to increase a response. Adding a praise adds a chance of a child cleaning his room.

Negative reinforcement is taking something away to increase a response. Taking away teen’s cell phone to prevent distraction while studying for a test will affect their grade positively.

Primary and Conditioned Reinforcers

Primary Reinforcers are a stimulus that does not require pairing to function as a reinforcer and most likely observed this function through the evolution and its role in survival. Some examples are sleep, food, air, and water.

Conditioned Reinforcers is a stimulus or situation that has acquired its function as a reinforcer after pairing with a stimulus that functions as a reinforcer. Some examples are praise, rewards, and treats.

Immediate and Delayed Reinforcers
You have a test tomorrow
It’s late and you are tired so you decide to sleep
You decide to study tomorrow morning by waking up an hour earlier.
The next morning you decide to sleep in rather than study.
Immediate reinforcer is you sleeping
Delayed reinforcer is doing well on the test.
Immediate reinforcer is superior to delayed reinforce because it forms a stronger relationship with stimulus and response. Example- sleeping because you FEEL tired.
Kristine