Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Reinforcement

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:

Reinforcement Schedules

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,...

Primary and Secondary Reinforcers

Primary and Secondary Reinforcers

In psychology, reinforcement is a key concept in behavior modification. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments involving rats in what is known as a Skinner box. The rats learned to press a lever to receive food, a primary reinforcer that fulfilled their innate need for nourishment.
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...

Law of Effect

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...

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective.
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The development of a multi-dimensional gambling accessibility scale.

Journal of gambling studies·2009

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

The relationship between reinforcement and gaming machine choice.

¹School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW, 1797, Australia. john.haw@uws.edu.au

Journal of Gambling Studies

|July 21, 2007

Summary

Gambling behavior is influenced by reinforcement history. Prior wins frequency and payback rates predict changing gaming machines, not initial choice. However, payback rates did influence choice for those who switched machines.

More Related Videos

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Published on: December 16, 2010

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

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

Published on: September 10, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking

Published on: December 16, 2010

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

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

Published on: September 10, 2018

Area of Science:

Behavioral psychology
Gambling studies
Decision-making research

Background:

Understanding factors influencing gambling behavior is crucial.
Reinforcement history, including win frequency and payback rates, may impact player decisions.
Previous research has not fully elucidated the relationship between reinforcement and gaming machine selection or switching.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between prior reinforcement experiences and gaming machine choice.
To determine if reinforcement history influences the decision to change gaming machines during a gambling session.
To explore the differential impact of win frequency versus payback rate on these decisions.

Main Methods:

Seventy undergraduate students participated in a simulated gambling task.
Participants experienced two gaming machines with differing reinforcement rates during a practice phase.
Machine choice and machine-switching behavior were recorded in a subsequent test phase, with reinforcement measured by win frequency and payback rate.

Main Results:

Neither win frequency nor payback rate predicted initial gaming machine choice.
Both win frequency and payback rate significantly predicted the decision to change gaming machines.
Post-hoc analysis revealed that for participants who switched machines, payback rate, but not win frequency, was associated with their initial machine choice.

Conclusions:

Reinforcement history plays a role in dynamic gambling decisions, specifically in machine switching.
Payback rate appears to be a more salient factor than win frequency for both switching decisions and, for some players, initial machine selection.
These findings contribute to understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying gambling behavior and machine selection.