positive reinforcement

positive reinforcement (uncountable)

1. The giving of encouragement to a person who exhibits a particular behaviour with the result that such behaviour is repeated.

   Coordinate term: negative reinforcement

   The mother did not realize that giving her son candy every time he cried was positive reinforcement.

   • 2015, Ilona Rodan, Sarah Heath, editors, Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare, Elsevier Health Sciences, →ISBN, page 46:

     With positive reinforcement, by adding something the animal desires, the likelihood that the behavior will occur again is increased.