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Glite Dictionary
positive reinforcer

positive reinforcer

4.5
A thing given after a behavior that makes it more likely to happen again
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : refuerzo positivo
  • Giving a dog a treat is a common example of using a positive reinforcer to encourage good behavior.

Examples

  • In all likelihood, the cash incentive, a positive reinforcer, was an inadequate analogue for these real-life contingencies.

    Academic text (1991)

  • If positive reinforcers are contingent on being noticed, then people might leave the group (e.g., Maslach, 1974).

    Academic text (1991)

  • I'm more of a positive reinforcer; I'm likely to encourage people to try new things out rather than saying what you're doing now isn't the right way.

    Blog text (7)

  • The teacher used praise as a positive reinforcer to motivate her students to participate more in class.

  • In behavior therapy, a positive reinforcer helps clients develop better habits by rewarding their progress.

Synonyms

reinforcer
vspositive reinforcer
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Something given after an action to make that action happen more often

is limited to stimuli rather than wider events or consequences
positive reinforcing stimulus
vspositive reinforcer
  • Specialized
8.6

Something pleasant that someone gives after a behavior to make it happen again

is the standard label for a stimulus that raises response probability after it occurs
reinforcing stimulus
vspositive reinforcer
  • Specialized
6.8

A thing that makes someone repeat an action, like food or praise

is the more specific term stressing presentation after the behavior
positive stimulus
vspositive reinforcer
  • Specialized
4.6

Something like praise or a reward that makes someone do something again

focuses on increasing behavior likelihood after presentation rather than just reward

Antonyms

negative reinforcer
  • Specialized
7.9

Taking away something unpleasant makes a person or animal do something more often

How Reinforcing

positive reinforcer
  • Specialized
4.5
negative reinforcer
  • Specialized
7.9
reinforcing stimulus
  • Specialized
6.8
ineffective
90 3.4

Surface Forms

positive reinforcer singular
positive reinforcers plural

Morphology

positive + reinforcer

The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'positive' (beneficial) modifies 'reinforcer' (something that increases a behavior), so the combined meaning — a reinforcer that has a positive effect — is directly derivable from the parts. Although 'reinforcer' is somewhat technical, the construction follows normal English compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Positive reinforcer comes from a simple picture: give something positive (a treat or praise) right after a good action so it acts as a reinforcer and makes that action more likely to happen again. That's why it means 'something given after a behavior to make that behavior more likely'.