Positive Reinforcer and Reinforcement

A positive reinforcer is a stimulus that follows a behavior and results in the probability that the behavior will increase in the future.

The procedure of presenting a positive reinforcer following a behavior is called positive reinforcement. The psychological concept of reinforcement means the word in general use, that is, reinforcement means to strengthen. Thus, positive reinforcement strengthens the behavior-reinforcer connection.

The concept of positive is derived from mathematics and is not necessarily linked to feelings. That is, positive means a stimulus has been added as a contingency such that when a specific behavior occurs, the organism experiences the positive reinforcer and is likely to emit the same behavior again.

In symbols, a positive reinforcer is a stimulus with a plus sign thus, S+.

Positive reinforcers may be primary or secondary. A primary reinforcer is close to a natural reinforcer such as food and sleep. A secondary reinforcer may be points or money, which may be used to obtain a primary reinforcer.

Positive reinforcement is contrasted with  negative reinforcement.

Rewards vs. Reinforcers

Rewards may or may not function to increase behavior. For example, a restaurant business may offer a loyalty reward to customers hoping to increase return business; however, if the customer does not like the reward item, then the desired behavior has not been reinforced. In fact, the reward may function as punishment if the customer leaves for a better reward system.

Key words: Positive reinforcer, positive reinforcement, reinforcing stimulus, behavioral psychology, behavioral counseling, cognitive behavioral psychology

Example:

A child completes cleaning their room. A parent observes the activity and on completion adds a point to a weekly chart. After an agreed upon number of points, the child can exchange points for preferred activities. If cleaning behavior increases when points are earned then the points are positive reinforcers.

If the points do not work, they may be called neutral reinforcers. If the points result in a decrease in cleaning up behavior then the cleaning behavior has been punished by definition.

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Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

 

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a psychotherapy approach developed by psychologist Albert Ellis. It focuses on helping individuals challenge their irrational beliefs and learn how to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a healthier, more realistic way.

 Here are some key points about REBT:

Theory and History: REBT was created in the 1950s by Albert Ellis and is considered one of the pioneering cognitive-behavioral therapies. It helps clients learn to challenge their own irrational thinking and develop the habit of thinking in beneficial and rational ways.

 

Core Principles

Choice: REBT hypothesizes that people have the capacity for rational choice in how they conduct their lives and can change themselves considerably.

Thinking, Feeling, and Behavior: REBT views thinking, feeling, and behavior as linked and influencing one another. This is a familiar triad sometimes presented as Cognition, Affect, and Behavior (CAB) or in the SCOPES model as Cognition, Emotion, and Observed behavior (CEO).

Philosophical Emphasis: REBT encourages clients to adopt the core philosophies of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.

Therapeutic Focus: Changing one's thinking is usually the primary focus of therapy, along with encouraging the adoption of rational thinking patterns.

Effectiveness: REBT has an empirical basis for its effectiveness and has evolved over the years to refine its theory and practice.

David et al. (2021) published results of a study involving 349 patients between 2007 and 2016. Data analysis revealed a medium effect size. Patient improvements after 3 and 20 sessions were significant.

Model: REBT was referred to as an ABC theory where A = Activating Event, B = Belief about the A event, and C = Consequences. The expanded model includes letters DE (ABCDE) where D = Disputation of irrational beliefs about the A event and E = an effective new philosophy. The process suggests how we disturb ourselves and how we can undisturb ourselves.

The focus on changing cognitions and behavior in REBT is similar to the general model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) originally formulated by Beck.

Related Posts

Awfulizing

Musturbation

SCOPES Model

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

My review of A New Guide to Rational Living by Ellis & Harper

 References

David, O. A., Cîmpean, A., Costescu, C., DiGiuseppe, R., Doyle, K., Hickey, M., & David, D. (2021). Effectiveness of Outpatient Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Over One Decade. American journal of psychotherapy, 74(4), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200009

Ellis, A., & Ellis, D. J. (2011). Rational emotive behavior therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Ellis, A., & Joffe Ellis, D. (2019). Rational emotive behavior therapy (2nd ed.). Washington, DC:  American Psychological Association.

 

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

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You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

Musturbation in Psychology

 

Musturbation is a belief that a person must be perfect, according to their standards, to enjoy a successful life, approval, or comfort. The belief is one of the maladaptive cognitions that may be addressed in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT).

The concept of musturbation is attributed to psychologist, Albert Ellis.

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

   and see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton