PSYB45H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Reinforcement
Document Summary
Reinforcement is the process in which a behaviour is strengthened by the immediate consequence that reliably follows its occurrence. The difference btween the two envts is : predictability. Every intervention and situation can be broken down to these. If it cant be broken down, it cant be studied. The terms reinforcement and positive reinforcement are often used interchangeably. Operant behaviors are those that operate on the environment to generate consequences, and are in turn influenced by those consequences. Reinforcers are those consequences that strengthen an operant behaviour. They also vary for the same person from situations to situations. Everybody is different, hence different things function as reinforcers for different people. Stimulus any object/event that can be detected by any of the five senses & has the potential to influence behaviour. Negative reinforcement is not the same as punishment. Punishment decreases the likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future, it inhibits the behavior.
