reinforcers/punishments

Positive Reinforcement

the act of rewarding a positive behavior in order to encourage it to happen again in the future

Ex: Verbal praise, rewards, treats

Negative Reinforcement (taking away)

the encouragement of certain behaviors by removing or avoiding a negative outcome or stimuli

Ex: lifting a grounding period when a child works on their homework

Positive Punishment (adding)

adding something unpleasant after a behavior to reduce that behavior in the future.

Ex: A parent yells at a child for running into the street 

Negative Punishment

the removal of a pleasant stimulus after a behavior to decrease that behavior in the future.

Ex: Taking away a toy from a child for not sharing.

Primary Reinforcers

stimuli that are naturally rewarding because they satisfy basic biological needs or drives.

Ex: Food, water, warmth.

Secondary Reinforcers

stimuli that have become rewarding through their association with primary reinforcers.

Ex: Money, praise, or tokens that can be exchanged for primary reinforcers.

Continuous Reinforcement

the practice of reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs, leading to rapid learning of that behavior.

Ex: Giving a dog a treat every time it sits on command.

Partial Reinforcement

the practice of reinforcing a behavior only some of the time it occurs, leading to slower learning but greater resistance to extinction.

Ex: Giving a dog a treat sometimes when it sits on command rather than every time

Fixed

constant

Ratio

Action

Variable

Changing, unpredictable