There are different strategies to regulate a person’s conduct and behavior. One of the most effective strategies is positive reinforcement, since it encourages the repetition of a desired behavior without the need to punish or attack. It is a disciplinary encouragement technique that helps with positive parenting, education and the transmission of values.
So that you can expand your information a little more about this fascinating topic, in this Psychology-Online article, we will explain what positive reinforcement is in psychology and some examples. This way, you will know how to apply the strategy, what its characteristics are and the types of positive reinforcements that exist.
What is positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a strategy that involves the addition or application of a positive stimulus immediately after a desired behavior in order to ensure that behavior is repeated. In other words, when a reward is given after an action with the objective of strengthen rewarded behavior.
Within Burrhus Frederic Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning, the basic action of this reinforcement is to ensure that an effect or behavior occurs in the future and is maintained over time.
Likewise, many times we apply positive reinforcement in daily life without realizing it. For example, if someone opens the door for us and we thank them, the person will most likely do the action again because they feel that they did something positive.
Characteristics of positive reinforcement
The main characteristics of positive reinforcement are the following:
- A nice reinforcer is needed that stimulates a response, that is, something that generates pleasure or well-being.
- Strengthens a desired behavior so that it is repeated more frequently and spontaneously.
- It motivates behavior and it can be through material and tangible reinforcements or with encouraging words and emotions.
Above all, it is essential that positive reinforcement is used appropriately and in specific situations. Otherwise, the correct association and the desired stimulus-response response will not be generated. The best thing is to be constant over time and distribute the stimulus progressively so that the behavior is strengthened and maintained.
Benefits of applying positive reinforcement
From a psychological point of view, positive reinforcement increases the incidence of a response as a result of a pleasant stimulus. Therefore, it is a very assertive strategy to apply it in different areas such as educational, work or family. The consequence produced by this stimulus is known as a “positive reinforcer” or “reinforcer” and the stimulus itself is known as a “reward.”
In any case, it must be taken into account that the reward or stimulus must be proportional to the behavior and, at the same time, be pleasant so that it can have some effect on the person. For example, if you want someone who is vegan to perform better at work, you cannot reward them by inviting them to eat meat, since the effect will be the opposite.
Types of positive reinforcement
Anything you become familiar with on a daily basis can be a positive reinforcer that stimulates a behavior. However, there are some specific types of positive reinforcement that we will show you below:
- Natural reinforcement: when a person performs some action because they will obtain a stimulus naturally. For example, when someone goes on a diet, the mere fact of losing weight becomes a reinforcer.
- Social reinforcement: this is the reinforcement that occurs in different social contexts and whose purpose is to achieve the incidence of a behavior. For example, when the family congratulates one of its members for their academic or professional achievements.
- Tangible reinforcement: when material and tangible prizes and rewards such as money, walks or toys are given to stimulate a certain behavior.
- Individual reinforcement: it is a type of personal positive reinforcement that is given to stimulate actions. For example, when you praise someone for achieving a goal or when you internally encourage us to complete a certain activity.
Positive reinforcement techniques
How is positive reinforcement applied? When applying it, there are different techniques that ensure the success of the strategy. One of them is continuity and the other is intermittent programming. Let’s see how they work:
- Continuity programs: their purpose is to reinforce behavior with constant and immediate stimuli to the desired behavior. Its objective is to achieve adequate repetition of the behavior so that it lasts. The length of continuity will depend on each individual and their ability to respond.
- Intermittent programs: once the desired behavior is obtained, we move on to intermittent positive reinforcement, in which behaviors are no longer constantly rewarded, but only those that are most resistant to perpetuation.
Examples of positive reinforcement
Now that you know the main characteristics, techniques and types of positive reinforcement, let’s look at some practical examples of how this strategy is applied in different areas:
Positive reinforcement at work
In the workplace we can find many examples of positive reinforcement such as the following:
- When a sales worker makes a good profit for the company, the boss rewards him with some incentive such as bonuses, trips or vacations so that he is motivated to maintain his good performance.
- A businessman who publicly congratulates the workers They always arrive early. In this case, words of congratulations act as a stimulus.
- A boss who offers a pay rise to employees who go beyond what is asked of them.
Positive reinforcement in education
Discover some examples of positive reinforcement in education:
- When a student maintains appropriate behavior in the classroom and the teacher rewards him with extra rest time or with some candy.
- The teachers who praise and motivate students who get an excellent grade.
- When a teacher distributes stars to students who turned in their homework on time.
Positive reinforcement at home
In taking care of the house we can also find the following examples of positive reinforcement.
- The parents who congratulate and motivate the children who keep their toys.
- The parents give more privileges to one of his children because he helps with household chores.
- The family that congratulates young people for obtaining good academic results.
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Positive reinforcement in sport
In the sports field we can also find multiple examples of positive reinforcement. Let’s look at some:
- A player who is dedicated to train hard to obtain a medal or prize.
- Dancers who practice for the simple reason of demonstrating their dancing skills.
- A person who runs every afternoon to stay healthy and active.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Belsky, J. (2008). Rewards are better than punishment: here’s why. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/family-affair/200809/rewards-are-better-punishment-here-s-why
- CEHD. (2016). Positive reinforcement in the classroom: Tips for teachers. University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development. Retrieved from https://cehdvision2020.umn.edu/blog/positive-reinforcement-teacher-tips/