negative reinforcement

(noun)

The removal of an unpleasant condition or consequence when a behavior is performed to increase how often the behavior is repeated.

Related Terms

  • Positive Reinforcement
  • reinforcement

Examples of negative reinforcement in the following topics:

  • Contracts, Consequences, Reinforcement, and Extinction

    • Negative reinforcement increases the probability of a response that removes or prevents an adverse condition.
    • Many classroom teachers mistakenly believe that negative reinforcement is punishment administered to suppress behavior; however, negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, as does positive reinforcement.
    • Negative reinforcement might include:
    • This video illustrates negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and punishment.
    • He gives her a free homework pass as negative reinforcement for her behavior.
  • Reinforcement as a Management Tool

    • Reinforcement is a process of strengthening desirable behaviors, often through the use of rewards.
    • Reinforcement is a term used in the context of behavioral analysis and in a specific kind of intentional behavior change known as operant conditioning.
    • In reinforcement, the rate of the target behavior is increased by giving a reward (i.e., "positive reinforcement") or by removing an unpleasant stimulus (i.e., "negative reinforcement") immediately or shortly after each occurrence of the behavior.
    • Giving a monkey a banana for performing a trick is an example of positive reinforcement; quieting a constant unpleasantly loud noise when a rat pushes a button is an example of negative reinforcement.
    • This soldier reinforces her dog's desirable behavior by giving it a treat.
  • Behavior Modification

    • Modifying behavior through reinforcement and environmental stimuli can increase positive actions and decrease negative actions in the workplace.
    • Reinforcement, both positive and negative, can be created via incentives or the removal and avoidance of negative stimuli. 
    • This is positive reinforcement.
    • This is negative reinforcement.
    • Behavior can be promoted or demoted through strategic use of positive and negative reinforcements, as well as positive and negative punishments.
  • Reinforcement and Punishment

    • Both reinforcement and punishment can be positive or negative.
    • In operant conditioning, positive and negative do not mean good and bad.
    • Negative reinforcers remove an aversive or unpleasant stimulus to increase or maintain the frequency of a behavior.
    • Negative punishments remove a pleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior or response.
    • See the blue text and yellow text above, which represent positive and negative, respectively.
  • Operant Conditioning

    • Reinforcement: a positive or rewarding event which causes the behavior to occur more often.
    • Punishment: a negative or punishing event which causes the behavior to occur less often.
    • Within operant conditioning, the terms "positive" and "negative" are not used in their common or popular sense; positive means that something is added, and negative means something is taken away.
    • Positive reinforcement' (Reinforcement) occurs when there is a reward for a form of behavior.
    • Negative reinforcement (Escape) occurs when an aversive stimulus is removed.
  • Reinforcement Theory

    • Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding.
    • Reinforcement Theory proposes that social behavior is governed by events outside the human psyche.
    • Learning is the function of change in overt behavior brought about by these positive or negative reinforcements.
    • Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.
    • First, on the grounds of circular reasoning, it appears to argue that response strength is increased by reinforcement while defining reinforcement as something which increases response strength.
  • Behavioral Psychology

    • Skinner, describes a form of learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened depending on its association with either positive or negative consequences.
    • The strengthening of a response occurs through reinforcement.
    • Skinner described two types of reinforcement: positive reinforcement, which is the introduction of a positive consequence such as food, pleasurable activities, or attention from others, and negative reinforcement, which is the removal of a negative consequence such as pain or a loud noise.
    • Skinner saw human behavior as shaped by trial and error through reinforcement and punishment, without any reference to inner conflicts or perceptions.
    • Some behavior therapies employ Skinner's theories of operant conditioning: by not reinforcing certain behaviors, these behaviors can be extinguished.
  • Managerial Perspectives on Motivation

    • Managers can employ motivational theory and reinforcement tools to motivate employees and increase efficiency.
    • These frameworks can be coupled with concepts of reinforcement and punishment as tools managers use to emphasize or discourage specific behaviors.
    • These include positive and negative reinforcements and positive and negative punishments.
    • As a result, a manager must recognize what level of the hierarchy an employee is on before using reinforcement or punishment.
    • If the employee is more concerned about salary and creating enough capital to live comfortably, a manager could positively reinforce certain behaviors with bonus pay or raises.
  • Behavior Modification

    • Development of a positive, nurturing environment (by removing negative stimuli from the learning environment).
    • Identification and use of appropriate reinforcers (intrinsic and extrinsic rewards).
    • A student receives an intrinsic reinforcer by correctly answering in the presence of peers, thus increasing self-esteem and confidence.
    • Reinforcement of behavior patterns develop until the student has established a pattern of success in engaging in class discussions.
  • Reinforcement Principles

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