how cam ones behaviour be modified through reinforcement? Suggest with the help of an example?
Answers
Reinforcement is the application or removal of stimulus to increase the strength of a specific behaviour. There are two types of reinforcement: positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves the impact of positive reinforcers and negative reinforcement involves the impact of negative reinforcers. Positive reinforcers are stimulus events that strengthen responses that precede them, where as negative reinforcers are aversive stimulus that strengthen responses that lead to their termination or avoidance. For example: Application of desirable stimulus like food, water and praise, strengthens responses that precede occurrence of stimulus and as a result, organisms learn to perform responses that precede positive reinforcers. Application of an undesirable or aversive stimulus like heat, cold and harsh criticism strengthens responses that permit escape from or avoidance of stimulus, as a result, organisms learn to perform responses that permit them to avoid or escape from negative reinforcers.