Power of Reinforcement

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

"The Power of Reinforcement succeeds in its goal of countering attacks against the purposeful use of reinforcement in socially significant human affairs by providing critical analyses grounded in empirical evidence and consistent conceptual extensions. Not only should The Power of Reinforcement be read carefully by parents, educators, academic psychologists, and others, but it is especially appropriate for students in introductory learning courses." — Psychological Record"If the truth will make one free, this book will help free many … Packed with solid information conveyed in a lively manner, this book is both educational and fun to read. Essential." — CHOICE"This is the first contemporary book designed for a broad readership defending the use of reinforcement principles against a wide variety of challenges. The relevance of the topics to everyday life issues, the careful application of research, and the appropriateness of examples make this an extraordinary book and a delight to read." — Robert Eisenberger, author of Blue Monday: The Loss of the Work Ethic in America"Flora's thoroughgoing advocacy for positive reinforcement in parenting, education, corrections, and promoting health is important and timely. This fascinating and influential book will indeed provide something unexpected to those misinformed about the impact of positive reinforcement on behavior." — David A. Eckerman, coauthor of The Joy of Experimental Psychology

• Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Myths and Misrepresentations of Reinforcement 1. Reinforcement as "Rat Psychology" 2. Insults and Mischievous Misrepresentations: M&Ms for the Retarded 3. Carrot-and-Stick Control, Bribery, and Value 4. The Myth that "Extrinsic Rewards Undermine Intrinsic Interest" 5. The Reality of Extrinsic Rewards and Intrinsic Motivation 6. Reinforcement Crushes Creativity 7. Reinforcement Creates Creativity 8. The Myth that Imitation and Instruction Following Invalidate Reinforcement Theory Part II: For Better or Worse. In Sickness and in Health: Reinforcement in Action 9. Reinforcement of Achievement and Underachievement 10. Reinforcement in Education 11. Reinforcement in Drug Use, Abuse, and Treatment 12. Reinforcement and Crime, Misconduct, and Correction 13. Reinforcement in the Cause, Course, and Correction of Depression, Chronic Pain, and Illness References Appendix 1. The Selection of Behavior Appendix 2. Basic Terms Name Index Subject Index