ABSTRACT
Positive Reinforcement Versus Negative Reinforcement It is important to keep in mind that positive reinforcers are events that increase a response when they are introduced or added following the response. The removal of an event following a response may also increase that response, but this is not positive reinforcement. For example, a parent might nag a teenager to do the dishes. When the child complies, the nagging stops. Although the cessation of nagging when dishwashing occurs may increase the dishwashing response, it was the nagging’s removal (not its introduction) following the response that increased it. This is an example of the principle of negative reinforcement (also known as escape conditioning), which states that the removal of certain stimuli immediately after the occurrence of a response will increase the likelihood of that response. As indicated by the word reinforcement, positive and negative reinforcement are similar in that both increase responses. They are different as indicated by the words positive and negative in that positive reinforcement increases a response because of the presentation of a positive stimulus, whereas negative reinforcement increases a response by the removal or taking away of a negative (or aversive) stimulus. Negative reinforcement is discussed further in Chapter 14. Note: Do not confuse negative reinforcement (which increases behavior) with punishment (which decreases behavior). Punishment is discussed in Chapter 13.
