Download Reinforcement Theory states that people are more likely

Reinforcement Theory states that people are more likely to perform a
specific behavior if it is followed by something pleasurable.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Explain reinforcement theory and its limitations
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
According to Reinforcement Theory, people learn according tooutcomes of behavior. So if a
particular behavior is rewarded with something pleasurable, that behavior is more likely to be
repeated, and vice versa.
Operant Conditioning refers to a method of using reinforcement to operationalize desired
behaviors. According to BF Skinner, there are three types of responses/operants: neutral,
reinforcers and punishers.
Critics point to a number of possible problems with Reinforcement Theory, including its use of
circular reasoning, and its assumption that reactions are mainly to environmental stimuli.
Criticism
- The Reinforcement Theory is accused of using circular reasoning: it argues that response
strength is increased by reinforcement, while reinforcement is defined as something that
increases response strength.
- Individuals are assumed to react mainly to environmental stimuli, and not their
own cognitive processes. Thus, other motivations to human behavior are played down.
- It does nothing to explain selfless behavior and altruism.
TERMS [ edit ]
operant conditioning
A technique of behavior modification through positive and negative reinforcement and positive
and negative punishment
reinforcement
The process whereby a behavior with desirable consequences comes to be repeated.
punishment
A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution
EXAMPLES [ edit ]
Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence an individual finds
rewarding. For example, if your teacher gives you £5 each time you complete your homework (i.e.
a reward) you are more likely to repeat this behavior in the future, thus strengthening the
behavior of completing your homework.
Other general examples of positive reinforcement include simple verbal praise, feelings of
increased accomplishment and recognition, to more material rewards such as money, bonuses,
and prizes.
Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [edit ]
Reinforcement Theory proposes that
social behavior is governed by events
outside the human psyche. The basic
premise is that people will more likely
perform a specific behavior if it is followed
directly by something pleasurable or by
the removal of something painful.
Logically, it includes the opposite premise
that people will less likely perform a
specific behavior if it is followed by
Register for FREE to stop seeing ads
something non-pleasurable (punishment or the removal of pleasure). Learning is the
function of change in overt behavior brought about by these positive or negative
reinforcements. Any external events that lead to an alteration or change in behavior in this
way are referred to as stimuli. The change in behavior induced by a stimulus is a response.
Reinforcement theory has been put into operation in a processcalled "operant conditioning,"
a term coined by B. F. Skinner to mean "the changing of behavior by the use of reinforcement
given after the desired response. " Skinner identified three types of responses or operant that
can follow behavior.
Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the
probability of a behavior being repeated.
Reinforcers: responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior
being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.
Punishers: responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior
being repeated.
Skinner studied operant conditioning by conductingexperiments using rats, which he placed
in a "Skinner Box". In his experiment, the box contained a lever in the side and as the rats
moved about the box they would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately as they did so a
food pellet would drop into a container next to the lever. The rats quickly learned to go
straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The consequence of receiving
food if they pressed the lever ensured that they would repeat the action again and again .
Operant Conditioning Diagram
The instrumentation of reinforcement theory is diagrammed in this flowchart.
Limitations
This theoretical approach to understanding human behavior has been criticized on a number
of levels. 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.
Another limitation of this theoretical approach is that it portrays individuals as primarily
reacting to environmental stimuli rather than as initiating behavior based on imaginative or
creative thought. In short, it downplays the role of cognition in human behavior. As a result,
this theoretical approach downplays the influence of other motivations in explaining human
behavior. For example, reinforcement theory cannot explain altruism, an instance in which
an individual may act to their own detriment in order to help another.