reinforcement
Quick Summary
Reinforcement, in psychology, is a process that strengthens or encourages a behavior, making it more likely to occur again. This concept is central to operant conditioning, a type of learning where behaviors are influenced by their consequences.1
There are two main types:
* Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus after a behavior to increase its frequency (e.g., giving a treat for a trick).1
* Negative reinforcement involves removing an unpleasant stimulus when a desired behavior occurs, also increasing the likelihood of that behavior (e.g., an alarm clock stops when you get out of bed).1
Pioneered by psychologists like B.F. Skinner, reinforcement is used in various applications, including animal training and education.12
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human behaviourLearning theory…principles stress the effects of reward and punishment (administered by parents, teachers, and peers) on the child’s tendency to adopt the behaviour and values of others. Learning theory is thus directed to the overt actions of the child, rather than to inner psychological states or mechanisms.
Read More…principles stress the effects of reward and punishment (administered by parents, teachers, and peers) on the child’s tendency to adopt the behaviour and values of others. Learning theory is thus directed to the overt actions of the child, rather than to inner psychological states or mechanisms.
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conditioningThe type of reinforcement used will determine the outcome. When two stimuli are presented in an appropriate time and intensity relationship, one of them will eventually induce a response resembling that of the other. The process can be described as one of stimulus substitution. This procedure is called…
Read MoreThe type of reinforcement used will determine the outcome. When two stimuli are presented in an appropriate time and intensity relationship, one of them will eventually induce a response resembling that of the other. The process can be described as one of stimulus substitution. This procedure is called…
Read More- learningTypes of learning
…current theme is that of reinforcement, which accounts for the finding that a subject’s performance will improve when his or her activities are rewarded. The theoretical mechanisms of such reinforcement are controversial.
Read More…current theme is that of reinforcement, which accounts for the finding that a subject’s performance will improve when his or her activities are rewarded. The theoretical mechanisms of such reinforcement are controversial.
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pedagogyConditioning and behaviourist theoriesBy reinforcement (e.g., a reward), both sorts of learning can be combined.
Read MoreBy reinforcement (e.g., a reward), both sorts of learning can be combined.
Read More- habit
…thinking and reacting—is developed through reinforcement and repetition. Reinforcement encourages the repetition of a behaviour, or response, each time the stimulus that provoked the behaviour recurs. The behaviour becomes more automatic with each repetition. Some habits, however, may form on the basis of a single experience, particularly when emotions are…
Read More…thinking and reacting—is developed through reinforcement and repetition. Reinforcement encourages the repetition of a behaviour, or response, each time the stimulus that provoked the behaviour recurs. The behaviour becomes more automatic with each repetition. Some habits, however, may form on the basis of a single experience, particularly when emotions are…
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learning theoryReinforcementRepetition alone does not ensure learning; eventually it produces fatigue and suppresses responses. An additional process called reinforcement has been invoked to account for learning, and heated disputes have centred on its theoretical mechanism.
Read MoreRepetition alone does not ensure learning; eventually it produces fatigue and suppresses responses. An additional process called reinforcement has been invoked to account for learning, and heated disputes have centred on its theoretical mechanism.
Read More- psychomotor learningAcquisition
…during the early stages of reinforced practice, the average rate of gain tending to drop off as the number of trials or training time increases (Figure 1). Curves based on such measures as reaction time or errors reflect the learner’s improvement by a series of decreasing scores, giving an inverted…
Read More…during the early stages of reinforced practice, the average rate of gain tending to drop off as the number of trials or training time increases (Figure 1). Curves based on such measures as reaction time or errors reflect the learner’s improvement by a series of decreasing scores, giving an inverted…
Read More - psychomotor learningPsychological feedback
…interpretations that emphasize continuity and reinforcement as contrasted with theories based on discontinuity and contiguity alone. Clark Hull’s system (1943) is the classic model.
Read More…interpretations that emphasize continuity and reinforcement as contrasted with theories based on discontinuity and contiguity alone. Clark Hull’s system (1943) is the classic model.
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