15 Examples of Positive Reinforcement That Work

Positive reinforcement is a strategy that is used to encourage appropriate behavior. By strengthening positive behaviors, this strategy can help you get the desired behavior while eliminating behaviors you don’t want. 

Here, learn about examples of positive reinforcement to use this strategy to your advantage and be aware of how positive and negative reinforcement operate in your daily life. 

What is positive reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is a concept from behavioral psychology. More specifically, it comes from psychologist B.F. Skinner who describes what he called “operant conditioning.” Skinner stated that you can reinforce positive behavior by offering a reward for the behavior that you desire. 

According to Skinner, people operate within their environments and choose certain behaviors. If a behavior results in a positive outcome, people will repeat that behavior. On the other hand, behavior that results in a negative outcome will be avoided.

How positive reinforcement works

Positive reinforcement works because it strengthens desirable behaviors. When a behavior is paired with some reward, a person will want to continue showing that behavior to get a reward. 

According to Maggie Martinez, LCSW:

Positive reinforcement shapes behavior by building confidence, not compliance.

If a behavior results in a negative outcome, like some punishment, a person will want to avoid that behavior in the future. 

In summary, when you reinforce positive behavior, you are doing something to promote and strengthen that behavior. 

One example of positive reinforcement might be taking a child out for ice cream if they bring a good report card home from school. Being rewarded with ice cream strengthens the desire to strive for good grades. 

Positive reinforcement is effective because it offers an alternative to punishment-based strategies, which can be quite negative and even damage relationships. 

For instance, yelling, spanking, or harsh disapproval are forms of punishment, and instead of changing behavior, they sometimes instill fear and hostility.

With positive reinforcement, you’re adding a reward or desirable outcome to encourage good behavior rather than just discouraging bad behavior with unpleasant consequences. 

When you focus on the positive, this not only strengthens good behavior; it also strengthens relationships. 

15 examples of positive reinforcement 

If you’re looking for advice on how to give positive reinforcement or simply want to learn about types of positive reinforcement, the examples below are helpful.

Maggie Martinez highlights that:

“Reinforcing progress, no matter how small, strengthens the neural pathways that support lasting behavioral change.”

1. Brand rewards

An example of positive reinforcement that you likely experience in everyday life is brand rewards. 

For instance, if you sign up for a rewards card at your favorite grocery store chain, you will get points for making purchases. 

Over time, these points can be used for discounts and free products. This reinforces the act of shopping at that store and keeps you from going to a competitor. 

2. Natural positive reinforcers

The good news is that some positive reinforcement examples occur naturally. 

For instance, if you study for an exam and earn a good grade, this reinforces the behavior of studying, and ultimately makes you a better student. No one had to reward you; you earned a good grade as a natural outcome of studying. 

3. Workplace bonuses

Bonuses are among the examples of positive reinforcement in the workplace. 

An employer may offer a bonus payment for good performance or productivity. When you receive the bonus, it serves as a reward that encourages you to continue working hard and contributing to the company’s bottom line.

4. Social approval

Examples of positive reinforcement don’t always have to be in the form of a reward like money or discounts. 

Sometimes, people experience social positive reinforcement. This might involve publicly congratulating others for a promotion at work or receiving a compliment on social media. These forms of social approval encourage. 

5. Token reinforcement systems 

Parents may use token reinforcement to encourage good behavior in their children. 

Token systems are also a common example of positive reinforcement in the classroom. Parents and teachers can award stars or tokens for good behavior. Once a child has earned enough “tokens,” they can redeem some prize.

6. Earning privileges

Earning privileges as an example of positive reinforcement is helpful for parents.

You might allow your child to earn privileges, such as video game time if they spend a certain amount of time completing chores, studying, or cleaning their room. This can encourage the child to complete undesirable tasks because they know a reward is coming at the end. 

7. Rewards for meeting goals 

Rewards for achievements are one of the top positive reinforcement examples for adults. 

When you’re working toward a goal, such as finishing a degree program, losing weight, or finishing a large project at work, you can reward yourself with treats, such as a new outfit, a night out, or a day at the spa when you meet the goal. 

You might even consider allowing yourself small rewards along the way, such as treating yourself to a pedicure for completing half of a project, to encourage yourself to keep working. 

8. Expressions of gratitude

You might find yourself getting caught up in a cycle of only communicating with your spouse or significant other about what they’re doing wrong. 

Instead of always focusing on the negative, you can offer positive reinforcement by expressing your appreciation when your partner does something nice for you. This will encourage positive behavior and hopefully decrease negative interactions in the relationship. 

Related Reading: 10 Ways to Show Gratitude to Your Spouse

9. Simple pleasures

Another positive reinforcement example for adults is engaging in simple pleasures.

Maggie Martinez adds that:

“Positive reinforcement in therapy promotes not just behavior change, but a deeper sense of self-worth and emotional safety.”

For example, stopping at your favorite coffee shop for a latte on the way to work reinforces the act of going to work. These positive reinforcers may be especially beneficial on a Monday morning or on days when you’re feeling down. 

10. Candy at the doctor’s office

You can probably remember when you took your child to the doctor, and they were offered candy for being “brave” during their appointment. This tiny example of positive reinforcement promotes going to the doctor and eliminates some fear children may have.

Candy at the doctor’s office isn’t the only way to reinforce positive behavior. You can probably think of examples of free meals, donut days at the office, or coupons to be redeemed for food. These are all examples of positive reinforcement as well. 

11. Praise in the classroom

Managing a class of young children can be challenging, especially if a few troublemakers are in the room. Fortunately, positive reinforcement in the classroom can help. 

Studies show that offering praise for positive behavior reduces inappropriate behavior and increases students’ time engaged in learning tasks. 

Praise can include telling a student you’re proud of them for working hard or even highlighting the hard work of another student in front of the class. For children, praise is a strong motivator and strengthens desired behaviors. 

12. Token/next level

Sometimes, the forces of psychology are so strong that you do not even recognize when positive reinforcement occurs. 

Examples of positive reinforcement can be as simple as receiving a token or advancing to the next level in a video game. Seeing the next level or token appear on the screen can motivate you to keep playing. 

13. Offering free time

Free time can be an example of positive reinforcement for children and adults. A teacher may offer 10 minutes of free time to students who complete their work, which reinforces the act of staying on-task. You may even reward yourself with free time if you get through chores or work tasks early, which motivates you to stay focused. 

14. Applause

You may not even realize it, but applause serves as a reinforcer when people give a public performance or speech. The act of having people stand and clap tells a person they have performed well. 

Related Reading: 8 Ways to Show Appreciation to the Love of Your Life

Learn more about positive reinforcement here: 

15. Time off

Another one of the key examples of positive reinforcement in the workplace is paid time off. Employees are rewarded for loyalty to an organization by earning vacation time for every year served. 

As an employee racks up more time with the same employer, vacation days increase, encouraging the employee to continue working hard and staying loyal to the company. Some employers may even offer free vacation days as an incentive for productivity or good performance. 

Final thoughts

There are plenty of examples of positive reinforcement, and now that you think about it, you have probably experienced it in your own life in more ways than one. 

You can use concepts from behavioral psychology to reinforce positive behavior in many settings, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

For example, praising and acknowledging good behavior in your children and spouse can encourage the behavior to continue. 

You can also give yourself small rewards to encourage you to keep working toward your goals. If you’re in a leadership position at work, you can use positive reinforcement to motivate your employees. 

If you’re looking for ways to use positive reinforcement to manage problem behaviors in children, you may benefit from attending a parenting class or working with a family therapist to learn specific strategies. x

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Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less

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