Which of the following are examples of positive reinforcement?

• A. A student is scolded for talking during class.
• B. In Mrs. Rodriquez's class, stickers can be used to purchase small toys. She gives Mario a sticker for reading three library books, and then he reads more books.
• C. A student loses recess for misbehavior.
• D. A student is given extra homework.

Answer: (B)

Positive reinforcement is adding something pleasant after a behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. In this example, giving Mario a sticker for reading three library books creates a desirable reward that follows the reading behavior. Because the sticker is contingent on the reading, it encourages him to read more in the future, and the sticker system (stickers used to buy small toys) reinforces the reading behavior over time.

The other scenarios involve adding something unpleasant (being scolded) or removing something desirable (losing recess) or adding extra work (more homework), which are not positive reinforcement because they do not increase the target behavior with a desirable reward.