Lessons on Learning: Positive Reinforcement

By Malcolm Towler, Guest Blogger

Reinforcement is, a “basic operant functional relation” for learning. When a type of behavior (R) is followed by reinforcement (SR) there will be an increased future frequency of that type of behavior” (Michael, 2004). Positive reinforcement, in its most basic definition, is the addition of a stimulus following a behavior that will increase that likelihood of that behavior’s future occurrence.

Example of positive reinforcement that Barbara often gives is your paycheck for the job. An additional, and more covert, example is getting ripe fruit from a particular store. When you purchase fruit at a location that is full of flavor, you tend to go back to that store to purchase more fruit. Reinforcement teaches us behaviors that we should engage in. The most important thing that maximizes the effectiveness of positive reinforcement is the schedule of reinforcement that is used, but this is a topic for a future newsletter.

Malcolm is a determined and hard-working gentleman who currently attends Bowie State University (BSU) in Bowie, MD. Mr. Towler is a published poet, plays the saxophone, and is a member of the BSU Symphony of Soul Marching Band.  He is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a goal of becoming a Biomedical Engineer.

Sharpening Your Success

by Danielle M. Miller

One of the hardest questions I ask people who come to me for coaching is for them to give me their definition of success.  Most give me what society has deemed as successful: money, recognition, material possessions, freedom, etc., because that is what we have been conditioned to believe quantifies success.

People often don’t understand the difference between society’s given perception of success and their own personal definition.  In order to move into understanding  of one’s self, it is essential that you are able to define what success is to you.  You must decide what your life would look like if order for you to achieve success.

This type of thinking often is difficult for people to sort of wrap their minds around because what constitutes success has been ingrained in our minds for so long.

The idea here is that unless you can clearly envision your ultimate life you will not be able to make it happen.  It’s like when you were in school and the overhead projector was out of focus; the teacher would have to turn the glass one way or another to try to get the information in focus and then AHHH…clear as could be.

Remember your success is truly your own.  When you align your goals and your values, your success will be crystal clear!

Danielle Miller is One Smart Cookie. She empowers women to not just step into their brilliance, but LEAP into it with passion, purpose and joy! Learn to Create the Life You Crave….with Sizzle and Spice! Get your motivation recipe at http://www.myrecipeforlife.com