reinforcer

Thân thiện

A teacher gives a student a sticker as a reinforcer for answering correctly.

Definition

Noun: 1. (Psychology): A stimulus (any event or object) that is presented or occurs after a behavior, and which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. It strengthens the association between the behavior and its consequence. 2. (General): Something that strengthens, supports, or makes an effect more powerful.

Usage

The term is most precisely used in the context of behavioral psychology (operant conditioning). It describes the consequence that follows a behavior to make it more frequent. * In a positive context, a reinforcer is a rewarding stimulus added (e.g., a treat for sitting). * In a negative context, a reinforcer is an aversive stimulus that is removed or avoided (e.g., stopping a loud noise when a button is pressed).

Examples

• Psychology:
  • The trainer used a small piece of food as a reinforcer to teach the dog the new trick.
  • In the experiment, the light turning off served as a negative reinforcer for pressing the lever.
  • Social praise can be a powerful reinforcer for human behavior.
• General:
  • The successful test results were a reinforcer of the team's chosen strategy.
  • His encouraging words acted as a reinforcer for her confidence.

Advanced Usage

• Primary Reinforcer: A stimulus that is inherently rewarding, satisfying a basic biological need (e.g., food, water, shelter).
• Secondary (Conditioned) Reinforcer: A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer (e.g., money, grades, tokens).
• Schedules of Reinforcement: The specific patterns or rules that determine when a reinforcer is delivered following a behavior (e.g., fixed-ratio, variable-interval).

Variants and Related Words

• Reinforce (verb): To strengthen or support.
  • The data will reinforce our hypothesis.
• Reinforcement (noun): The process of strengthening a behavior using reinforcers; or general support.
  • The bridge needs steel reinforcement.
  • They used a system of positive reinforcement.

Synonyms

• (Psychology) Reward, incentive, strengthener.
• (General) Strengthener, bolster, support, confirmation.

Antonyms

• (Psychology) Punisher.
• (General) Weakening factor, underminer.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (psychology) a stimulus that strengthens or weakens the behavior that produced it

Từ đồng nghĩa

• reinforcing stimulus
• reinforcement