Reinforcer (Noun)
Meaning
(psychology) a stimulus that strengthens or weakens the behavior that produced it.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- A tangible reward such as money or a treat can serve as a reinforcer to increase the frequency of a desired behavior.
- For some individuals, attention from others can be a powerful reinforcer of certain actions or behaviors.
- Studies have shown that immediate reinforcement is more effective in modifying behavior than delayed reinforcement.
- The teacher used stars on a chart as a reinforcer for good behavior and compliance in the classroom.
- In a operant conditioning experiment, the researchers carefully manipulated reinforcers to see how it affected the subjects' behavior.