Positive adds; negative removes

Plus brings a suitcase. Minus takes it away.

The idea behind the cue

In operant terminology, positive means adding a stimulus and negative means removing one.

Short & simple

Plus brings a suitcase. Minus takes it away.

Acronym

PA / NR: Positive Adds; Negative Removes.

Story

Plus arrives carrying a suitcase; Minus steals it. Whether behavior rises or falls is a separate question.

Positive does not mean good, and negative does not mean bad.

Check your understanding

A loud noise stops when a lever is pressed, increasing lever pressing. This is:

A. Negative punishment

B. Negative reinforcement

C. Positive punishment

D. Positive reinforcement

Reveal explanation

Negative reinforcement

In operant terminology, positive means adding a stimulus and negative means removing one.

Opening your concept…