How can you use reinforcement theory to facilitate learning?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Reinforcement is any event that strengthens or increases the behavior it follows.
Skinner’s research found that there are reinforcers that increase behavior and those
that decrease behavior. The two kinds of reinforcement that increase behavior are as
follows: (1) Positive reinforcement is a favorable event or outcome presented after the
behavior (e.g., praise or a bonus). (2) Negative reinforcement is the removal of an
unpleasant event or outcome after the display of a behavior (e.g., removing restrictions
when students performs well). Punishment, in contrast, is the presentation of an
adverse event or outcome that causes a decrease in the behavior it follows. There are
two kinds of punishment: (1) Punishment by application is the presentation of an
unpleasant event or outcome to weaken the response it follows (e.g., sending a student
to detention). (2) Punishment by removal (also called extinction) is when a pleasant
event or outcome is removed after a behavior occurs (e.g., not letting students play
during recess). Punishment may not be an effective way to encourage learning as it
may frustrate the efforts of the learner. Positive or negative reinforcement is more likely
to enhance the learning process.