Intro to Brain and Behavior
Reinforcement is a psychological concept that refers to any consequence that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. It plays a crucial role in learning, as behaviors followed by positive outcomes are likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to be. In the context of reward systems and addiction, reinforcement can help explain how certain behaviors become compulsive, as the brain's reward pathways respond to pleasurable stimuli, leading to repeated engagement in those behaviors.
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