Final answer:
In operant conditioning, reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by a consequence that increases its likelihood of being repeated. This can be through positive reinforcement (adding something desirable) or negative reinforcement (removing something undesirable).
Step-by-step explanation:
In operant conditioning, reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by a consequence that increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. This learning process is based on the principle that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to occur again, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to be repeated. This principle was proposed by Edward Thorndike as the law of effect and later expanded by B. F. Skinner. Reinforcement can be either positive, where something desirable is added, or negative, where something undesirable is removed, leading to an increase in the behavior.
For example, if a student receives praise for completing their homework (a positive reinforcer), the student is more likely to repeat this behavior. Alternatively, if a headache is relieved by taking medication (a negative reinforcer), the behavior of taking medication when experiencing a headache is likely to increase.
Shaping is another important aspect of operant conditioning where successive approximations of the target behavior are rewarded. This method helps to teach complex behaviors by breaking them down into simpler, more manageable steps.