Final answer:
Behaviors are often reinforced through rewards such as praise, money, and physical treats, with positive reinforcement proving effective in shaping desired behaviors. Token economies use secondary reinforcers to effectively modify behavior across various settings. The role of dopamine in reinforcement demonstrates that not all rewards are tangible, and that intrinsic motivation plays a significant part.
Step-by-step explanation:
Humans and animals learn to exhibit certain behaviors by being rewarded for them—a process known as conditioning. A classic example is providing treats to pets, such as dogs, for following commands or behaving well, which is a form of positive reinforcement. In the human context, rewards can be as varied as stickers for young children, praise for good work, money for completed tasks, toys for appropriate behaviors, or grades for academic achievement.
A well-documented example of this is the use of token economies within educational and therapeutic settings. These systems involve secondary reinforcers, or tokens, that can be exchanged for more tangible rewards. Studies have shown that token economies are effective at modifying behavior in various environments, notably in enhancing social behaviors and academic performance. Positive reinforcement is not solely about physical rewards, as the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and motivation, also plays a role in influencing behavior. People are driven to repeat behaviors that lead to dopamine release, thereby reinforcing those behaviors even if extrinsic rewards are not present.
However, not all behaviors are learned through positive reinforcement; sometimes, negative reinforcement or punishment is used, though the latter is less favored in contemporary psychology and parenting strategies. While punishment can teach avoidance of certain behaviors, positive reinforcement tends to encourage repetition of the desired behavior, making it a more desirable method of behavior modification.