positive reinforcement
Encouraging desired behavior
Positive reinforcement is the practice of encouraging a behavior by rewarding it.
In psychology, it's a core concept of operant conditioning—the reward increases the likelihood the behavior will recur.
The term has spread from laboratories to everyday parenting and management advice: We use positive reinforcement with our dog—treats when she comes when called.
Despite the name, positive here means adding something (a reward) rather than being optimistic or good.
Support spurring continued effort
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
- progressMovement toward improvement
growth · persistence · self-improvement · achievement · enthusiasm · perseverance · mastery · ambition
Producing an effect
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- rewardPayment for service
- skinnerPelt remover by trade
- behaviorismPsychology studying observable conduct
stimulus · reinforcer · shaping · extinction · acquisition · response · consequence · contingency
Perceiving something as known
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- praiseExpression of approval
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- promotionRank increase or publicity
acknowledgment · appreciation · merit · commendation · employee of the month · performance review · raise · perks
Positive statement of truth
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- complimentWords expressing approval
- praiseExpression of approval
esteem · confidence · empowerment · optimism · gratitude · warmth · reassurance · approval
encouragement
Support spurring continued effort
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
progress · growth · persistence · self-improvement · achievement · enthusiasm · perseverance · mastery · ambition · aspiration
operant
Producing an effect
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- rewardPayment for service
- skinnerPelt remover by trade
behaviorism · stimulus · reinforcer · shaping · extinction · acquisition · response · consequence · contingency · token economy
recognition
Perceiving something as known
promotion · acknowledgment · appreciation · merit · commendation · employee of the month · performance review · raise · perks · benefits
affirmation
Positive statement of truth
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- complimentWords expressing approval
praise · esteem · confidence · empowerment · optimism · gratitude · warmth · reassurance · approval · acceptance
- Positive Reinforcementencouragement, rewards, commendation, approval, compliments
- service dogsguide dog, seeing eye dog, guide dog trainer, guide dog training, golden retriever
- bird trainingclicker training, step up, step down, recall training, flight training
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- teachingteaching, lesson plans, instructing, educating, courses
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
positive reinforcementpunishment
Penalty for an offense
penalty · negative reinforcement · extinction · time-out · overcorrection
positive reinforcementpunishment
Penalty for an offense
deterrence · criticism · retribution · discipline · punitive measures
position, positive, reinforce, reinforced, positivity, reinforcement, reinforcing, positivism, posited