What does positive reinforcement involve?

Positive reinforcement involves adding or giving something to increase a desired behavior. This approach is based on the principles of behaviorism, particularly operant conditioning, which suggests that behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to occur again in the future.

In the context of positive reinforcement, the "something" that is added can be a variety of stimuli or rewards, such as praise, tokens, treats, or privileges, that serve to encourage the individual to repeat the behavior. For example, if a child receives verbal praise for completing their homework, the praise acts as reinforcement, making it more likely that they will complete their homework again in the future.

This technique is widely used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to promote positive behaviors, making it essential for practitioners to understand its mechanics and effective application. Conversely, other options mention removal or ignoring behaviors, which do not align with the concept of positive reinforcement.