Importance of Reinforcement
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definition of Reinforcement……………………………………………………………… 1
2 Types of reinforcement………………………………………………………………….... 1
• 1.1 Primary reinforcers …………………………………………………... 4
• 1.2 Secondary reinforcers………………………………………………... 4
3 Natural and artificial reinforcement……………………………………………………… 5
4 Schedules of reinforcement ………………………………………………………………. 5
• 3.1 Simple schedules ……………………………………………………... 6
3.1.1 Effects of different types of simple schedules……………. 7
• 3.2 Compound schedules…………………………………………………. 8
• 3.3 Superimposed schedules……………………………………………… 9
• 3.4 Concurrent schedules…………………………………………………. 10
5 Shaping…………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
6 Chaining……………………………………………………………………………………. 10
7 Criticisms…………………………………………………………………………………... 11
8 References………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
DEFINITION OF REINFORCEMENT
Reinforcement in its mere sense is the state of receiving or presenting a reinforcer. A stimulus that when presented immediately following a response increases the probability that the response will occur again. It could be the presentation of a reward or removal of something unpleasant.
In operant conditioning, reinforcement is an increase in the strength of a response following the change in environment immediately following that response. Response strength can be assessed by measures such as the frequency with which the response is made (for example, a pigeon may peck a key more times in the session), or the speed with which it is made (for example, a rat may run a maze faster). The environment change contingent upon the response is called a reinforcer. Reinforcement can only be confirmed retrospectively, as objects, items, food or other potential 'reinforcers' can only be called such by demonstrating increases in behavior after their administration. It is the strength of the response that is reinforced, not the organism.
TYPES OF REINFORCEMENT
B.F. Skinner, the researcher who articulated the
1. Definition of Reinforcement……………………………………………………………… 1
2 Types of reinforcement………………………………………………………………….... 1
• 1.1 Primary reinforcers …………………………………………………... 4
• 1.2 Secondary reinforcers………………………………………………... 4
3 Natural and artificial reinforcement……………………………………………………… 5
4 Schedules of reinforcement ………………………………………………………………. 5
• 3.1 Simple schedules ……………………………………………………... 6
3.1.1 Effects of different types of simple schedules……………. 7
• 3.2 Compound schedules…………………………………………………. 8
• 3.3 Superimposed schedules……………………………………………… 9
• 3.4 Concurrent schedules…………………………………………………. 10
5 Shaping…………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
6 Chaining……………………………………………………………………………………. 10
7 Criticisms…………………………………………………………………………………... 11
8 References………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
DEFINITION OF REINFORCEMENT
Reinforcement in its mere sense is the state of receiving or presenting a reinforcer. A stimulus that when presented immediately following a response increases the probability that the response will occur again. It could be the presentation of a reward or removal of something unpleasant.
In operant conditioning, reinforcement is an increase in the strength of a response following the change in environment immediately following that response. Response strength can be assessed by measures such as the frequency with which the response is made (for example, a pigeon may peck a key more times in the session), or the speed with which it is made (for example, a rat may run a maze faster). The environment change contingent upon the response is called a reinforcer. Reinforcement can only be confirmed retrospectively, as objects, items, food or other potential 'reinforcers' can only be called such by demonstrating increases in behavior after their administration. It is the strength of the response that is reinforced, not the organism.
TYPES OF REINFORCEMENT
B.F. Skinner, the researcher who articulated the