What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement? Provide an example as illustration.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students must first define positive and negative reinforcement and then provide examples. Examples can vary, but may include the following: Positive reinforcement is a procedure in which a stimulus or positive reinforcer is delivered, immediately following a response that serves to increase likelihood of a future occurrence of that response. Positive reinforcement is adding something that will motivate the child to increase the likelihood he will engage in that behavior again. For example, a teacher gives her student praise for completing his homework. The praise is the positive reinforcement (something we added) for doing the desired behavior (homework). Being able to watch a favorite TV show after doing all your homework is another example of positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement happens when a stimulus is removed, taken away, or withdrawn immediately following a behavior that serves to increase the future occurrence of that behavior. With negative reinforcement, you are increasing a behavior by removing or taking away something that motivates the child. Taking an aspirin to soothe your headache is another example of negative reinforcement (it reinforces your pill-taking behavior by removing the pain).