What happens during positive reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement occurs when a desirable stimulus is added following a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. This process is grounded in the principles of operant conditioning, where reinforcing consequences shape behavior. For example, if a child receives praise or a reward for completing their homework, the addition of that positive stimulus encourages them to continue doing their homework in the future.

In contrast, removing a stimulus, extinguishing a behavior, or ignoring a behavior would not fall under the definition of positive reinforcement, as they don't involve the addition of a reinforcing stimulus that promotes the behavior. Instead, they might lead to a decrease in the specific behavior being addressed.