Which concept involves rewarding a positive behavior to encourage its repetition?

The concept of rewarding a positive behavior to encourage its repetition is known as positive reinforcement. This psychological principle suggests that when an individual experiences a favorable outcome following a specific behavior, they are more likely to engage in that behavior again in the future. Positive reinforcement can take many forms, including praise, bonuses, recognition, or other rewards which signify approval of the behavior.

In a workplace context, for instance, when an employee exceeds their sales goals and receives a bonus or public acknowledgment, this reward serves to reinforce the productive behavior, motivating the employee to continue performing at a high level. This process is fundamental to behavior modification and helps to build a positive workplace culture by recognizing and rewarding desirable actions.

This concept is distinct from others like negative reinforcement, which involves removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior, and punishment, which aims to reduce undesirable behaviors. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, encompasses the broader framework of learning through consequences, including both reinforcement and punishment. However, the specific act of using rewards to promote positive behaviors falls squarely under positive reinforcement.