The Power of Reinforcement (Alternatives in Psychology) (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) - Softcover

Flora, Stephen Ray

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791459160 ISBN 13: 9780791459164

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 2004

Synopsis

Makes the controversial argument that reinforcement is a real and valuable force in human behavior.

According to Stephen Ray Flora, reinforcement is a very powerful tool for improving the human condition despite often being dismissed as regarding people as less than human and as “overly simplistic.” This book addresses and defends the use of reinforcement principles against a wide variety of attacks. Countering the myths, criticisms, and misrepresentations of reinforcement, including false claims that reinforcement is “rat psychology,” the author shows that building reinforcement theory on basic laboratory research is a strength, not a weakness, and allows unlimited applications to human situations as it promotes well-being and productivity. Also examined are reinforcement contingencies, planned or accidental, as they shape behavioral patterns and repertoires in a positive way.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

According to Stephen Ray Flora, reinforcement is a very powerful tool for improving the human condition despite often being dismissed as regarding people as less than human and as overly simplistic. This book addresses and defends the use of reinforcement principles against a wide variety of attacks. Countering the myths, criticisms, and misrepresentations of reinforcement, including false claims that reinforcement is rat psychology, the author shows that building reinforcement theory on basic laboratory research is a strength, not a weakness, and allows unlimited applications to human situations as it promotes well-being and productivity. Also examined are reinforcement contingencies, planned or accidental, as they shape behavioral patterns and repertoires in a positive way.

About the Author:

Stephen Ray Flora is Associate Professor of Psychology at Youngstown State University.

About this edition

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0791459160
• ISBN 13: 9780791459164
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 290