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Understanding Positive Reinforcement Techniques

The document discusses positive reinforcement as a behavioral science principle where rewards are associated with specific actions, exemplified by toilet training and good behavior rewards. It also introduces the Premack principle, which suggests that engaging in a preferred behavior can motivate less preferred behaviors. Additionally, it highlights how behaviors can be unintentionally reinforced, as seen in the interaction between a mother and child in a store setting.

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5 views1 page

Understanding Positive Reinforcement Techniques

The document discusses positive reinforcement as a behavioral science principle where rewards are associated with specific actions, exemplified by toilet training and good behavior rewards. It also introduces the Premack principle, which suggests that engaging in a preferred behavior can motivate less preferred behaviors. Additionally, it highlights how behaviors can be unintentionally reinforced, as seen in the interaction between a mother and child in a store setting.

Uploaded by

kitkatebar15
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Positive reinforcement is the idea that positive reinforcers are added to an

event, and the two become associated (Vinney, 2024). The principle of positive
reinforcement is a law within the field of behavioral science, meaning it has been
proven as fact. It is also a well-known feature of operant conditioning. One example
of this is when toilet training, adding a reinforcement of candy after every time the
child successfully sits on and then uses the toilet. The child associates the added
reward (the candy) with the action of sitting and using the toilet. Another example
of this would be when a child receives a sticker for good behavior at the end of a
lesson.

The Premack principle is the idea that “opportunity to engage in a behavior


that has a high probability of occurring is made contingent on a behavior that has a
low probability of occurring, then the behavior that has a low probability of
occurring will increase” (Martin and Pear, 2019). One example in my own life is
when I pair driving with doing work. I struggle to start my work sometimes, but I
love to drive often for fun. By making driving contingent on returning and working, I
can often motivate myself to continue working.

It is possible that, through non-intentional means, an individual can be


influenced to continue or discontinue an action. Within the book, one example given
is about a mother and child. If a child wants to leave a store and the mother isn’t
paying attention and complying, the child may act up. This act up can lead to the
mother exiting the store and enforcing the idea that a tantrum will make mom
abandon her shopping or current actions (Martin and Pear, 2019). This is behavior
modification on both parts, as the child is conditioned to tantrums and the mother is
conditioned to avoid the behavior and mitigate it quickly through leaving. Often,
within conformity, a person’s behavior slowly, over time, conforms to the group he
is in.

Sourcing

Martin, G., & Pear, J. J. (2019). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do
it. Routledge.

Vinney, C., PhD. (2024a, April 4). Behavior modification: Techniques for
positive behavior change. Verywell Mind. [Link]
modification-techniques-8622711

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