When is reinforcement delivered?

Reinforcement is delivered in the context of operant conditioning, which is a learning process used to increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring. Reinforcement can be either positive or negative, and it is delivered after a specific behavior has been exhibited, with the timing and frequency of reinforcement affecting the strength and rate of the learned behavior.

Positive reinforcement involves presenting a motivating/rewarding stimulus to the person after the desired behavior is exhibited, making the behavior more likely to happen in the future. For example, a teacher might give a student praise or a good grade after they turn in a well-done assignment.

Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus when the desired behavior is exhibited. This also increases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again in the future. For example, a parent might stop nagging a child when they finally do their chores.

The timing of reinforcement can vary:

1. Immediate reinforcement is delivered right after the desired behavior, which can be very effective for learning.
2. Delayed reinforcement is delivered some time after the behavior, which might reduce its effectiveness but can be more practical in certain situations.

The schedule of reinforcement can also vary:

1. Continuous reinforcement is when every instance of the desired behavior is reinforced, which is common during the initial stages of learning.
2. Partial (or intermittent) reinforcement is when only some instances of the behavior are reinforced, which can make the behavior more resistant to extinction once it is well established.

In summary, reinforcement is delivered after a behavior occurs, with the goal of influencing the frequency of that behavior. The effectiveness of reinforcement can depend on its timing, frequency, and whether it is positive or negative.