The following scenario demonstrates which principle: A teacher praises students after they answer correctly?

The following scenario demonstrates which principle: A teacher praises students after they answer correctly?

• A. Positive Reinforcement
• B. Negative Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Extinction

Answer: (A)

Positive reinforcement is at work here: the teacher adds a pleasant consequence after the desired behavior, which is answering correctly. The praise acts as a reward that strengthens the likelihood of that correct answering occurring again in the future. This is different from punishment (adding something unpleasant to reduce a behavior), negative reinforcement (removing something aversive to increase a behavior), or extinction (withholding reinforcement so the behavior fades). By immediately praising correct answers, the teacher encourages students to repeat that successful behavior.

Positive reinforcement is at work here: the teacher adds a pleasant consequence after the desired behavior, which is answering correctly. The praise acts as a reward that strengthens the likelihood of that correct answering occurring again in the future. This is different from punishment (adding something unpleasant to reduce a behavior), negative reinforcement (removing something aversive to increase a behavior), or extinction (withholding reinforcement so the behavior fades). By immediately praising correct answers, the teacher encourages students to repeat that successful behavior.