Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
12:09

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

[The model of the reward choice basing on the theory of reinforcement learning]

I A Smirnitskaia, A A Frolov, G Kh Merzhanova

    Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deiatelnosti Imeni I P Pavlova
    |June 29, 2007
    PubMed

    More Related Videos

    Operant Protocols for Assessing the Cost-benefit Analysis During Reinforced Decision Making by Rodents07:05

    Operant Protocols for Assessing the Cost-benefit Analysis During Reinforced Decision Making by Rodents

    Published on: September 10, 2018

    A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats06:11

    A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

    Published on: February 20, 2019

    Related Concept Videos

    Law of Effect01:06

    Law of Effect

    B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
    Edward Thorndike's foundational work involved studying learning in animals, particularly using puzzle boxes...
    Reinforcement Schedules01:24

    Reinforcement Schedules

    Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
    Once a behavior is learned,...
    Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation01:18

    Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation

    Incentive theory, or the "pull theory" of motivation, suggests that external rewards primarily drive behavior. Individuals are motivated to engage in activities when they anticipate a desirable outcome. This is why people often work hard for promotions or study intensively to achieve high grades. These incentives can be tangible, physical rewards such as money or promotions, or intangible, non-physical rewards like praise and social recognition.
    The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
    Reinforcement01:23

    Reinforcement

    Positive and negative reinforcement are key concepts in operant conditioning, a learning process where the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
    Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
    Cognitive Learning01:21

    Cognitive Learning

    Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
    E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
    Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
    Behaviorism01:28

    Behaviorism

    The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
    The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...