Overview & Description:

Reinforcement theory, primarily derived from B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning principles, posits that behavior which is followed by pleasant consequences (rewards or positive reinforcement) is likely to be repeated, while behavior followed by unpleasant consequences (punishment or negative reinforcement) is likely to be ceased.

Example:

If a student is praised for answering a question correctly (positive reinforcement), they may be more likely to participate in future class discussions.

Implications:

Reinforcement theory plays a pivotal role in educational psychology, organizational behavior, and behavior modification programs (e.g., in managing disruptive behavior in classroom settings or developing employee incentive programs).

References:

• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Simon and Schuster.