PSYB45H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Reinforcement, Biofeedback
Document Summary
Reinforcement refers to the process in which a consequence of a behaviour strengths that behaviour, making it more likely to occur in the future. The consequence is contingent on the behaviour that is, the consequence occurs if the behaviour does. The object or event that serves as the consequence in reinforcement is the reinforcer (a stimulus that is introduced or changed when the behaviour occurs). Natural reinforcers are consequences that happen spontaneously as a normal part of everyday events and are not planned and given systematically to affect behaviour, even though they do. Eg: telling a joke is reinforced by the enjoyment of other people express. Automatic reinforcement is when a behaviour produces a reinforcer directly, without other people playing a role. Some evidence suggests that automatic reinforcement can maintain in the repetitive/ritualistic behavioural excess. Programmed reinforcers are provided within a program of reinforcement with the goal of increasing or strengthening specific behaviours.
