The reinforcement is positive if it results in strengthening the response, or negative when its removal strengthens the response. The reinforcer must immediately and directly follow the response and be appropriate. Varying the schedule of reinforcement makes it more effective; either changing the time interval between reinforcements or the number of correct responses needed for reinforcement to be offered. Punishment on the other hand is an undesirable or painful consequence of a response and will usually lead to suppression of the behavior. According to Bouton and Moody (2004) conditioning is not necessarily such a simple process of learning and that the quality and length of duration of the conditioned stimulus can influence the type of behavioral response that results. They also emphasize the importance of distinguishing between "learning the hypothetical psychological and physical changes in the brain, from performance, the manifestation of that change in behavior" (p. 663).

Two of...
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