Reinforcer: meaning, definitions and examples
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reinforcer
[ riˈɪn.fɔːr.sər ]
psychology term
A reinforcer is a stimulus or event that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be positive, providing a pleasurable outcome, or negative, removing an unpleasant stimulus. They are fundamental concepts in behavioral psychology and learning theories.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Positive reinforcement can lead to increased motivation.
- Children often respond well to verbal reinforcers like praise.
- In training pets, treats serve as effective reinforcers.
- Money acts as a strong reinforcer for work-based behaviors.
Translations
Translations of the word "reinforcer" in other languages:
🇵🇹 reforçador
🇮🇳 मजबूत करने वाला
🇩🇪 Verstärker
🇮🇩 penguat
🇺🇦 підкріплювач
🇵🇱 wzmacniacz
🇯🇵 強化子
🇫🇷 renforçateur
🇪🇸 reforzador
🇹🇷 güçlendirici
🇰🇷 강화제
🇸🇦 معزز
🇨🇿 posilovač
🇸🇰 posilňovač
🇨🇳 增强器
🇸🇮 okrepitev
🇮🇸 styrkari
🇰🇿 күшейткіш
🇬🇪 გამაძლიერებელი
🇦🇿 gücləndirici
🇲🇽 reforzador
Etymology
The term 'reinforcer' originates from the field of psychology, particularly from the behaviorist movement. The concept of reinforcement was introduced by B.F. Skinner in the early 20th century during his experiments with operant conditioning. The word combines 'reinforce,' derived from the Latin 'reinforcare,' meaning 'to strengthen,' with the suffix '-er,' which typically denotes a person or thing that performs a specific action. The evolution of this term reflects the growing understanding of learning processes and behavioral modification techniques. Over time, the application of reinforcers has expanded beyond psychology into areas like education, business management, and training, underscoring its relevance in various practical fields.