Reinforcement

Reinforcement

Goal is to strengthen the response

Primary

rewards that are naturally satisfying and don't need to be learned, food

Ex primary

If you do something and get food as a reward, it's a primary reinforcement because you naturally want and need food

Secondary

rewards that aren't naturally satisfying on their own but become valuable through association

Ex secondary

money is a secondary reinforce. It doesn't provide direct satisfaction like food does, but you can use it to get things you want

Positive reinforcement

when you add something good after a behavior to encourage that behavior to happen again

Ex positive reinforcement

if a child gets praise or a sticker for doing their homework, they are more likely to do their homework again in the future because they enjoyed the reward

Negative reinforcement

you take away something unpleasant after a behavior to encourage that behavior to happen again

Ex Negative reinforcement

if you have a headache and take medicine that makes the pain go away, you're more likely to take that medicine again next time you have a headache

Punishment

Goal is to decrease behavior

Positive punishment

when you add something unpleasant after a behavior to discourage that behavior from happening again

Ex positive punishment

if a child touches a hot stove and gets a scolding or a slap on the hand, the scolding adds an unpleasant experience. This is meant to make the child less likely to touch the stove again

Negative punishment

when you take away something enjoyable or wanted after a behavior to discourage that behavior from happening again

Ex negative punishment

if a teenager stays out past curfew and loses their phone privileges, taking away the phone is meant to make them think twice about breaking curfew again