What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

The distinction between positive and negative reinforcement centers on the mechanisms used to encourage a particular behavior. Positive reinforcement involves the addition of a stimulus following a desired behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future. An example of this is giving a child praise or a reward for completing their homework, which encourages them to maintain that behavior.

On the other hand, negative reinforcement entails the removal of an unfavorable or aversive stimulus when the desired behavior occurs, thereby also increasing the chances of that behavior being repeated. For instance, putting on a seatbelt to stop the annoying beeping sound in a car illustrates this concept—removing the sound once the behavior of buckling up is performed promotes the likelihood of the individual buckling up in the future.

This understanding is essential in behavioral psychology, as both types of reinforcement aim to increase desired behaviors but do so through opposing methods—adding a positive stimulus versus removing a negative one.