EXAM 3 Study Guide and Notes Management 201 CHAPTER 12: Test Your Knowledge - Reinforcement Theory • • E.L. Thorndike’s Law of Effect – reinforcement theory, states that behavior followed by desired consequences will likely be repeated Consequences – events following a target behavior that influence its future occurrence ○ Positive reinforcement – occurs when the introduction of a desired consequence increases the frequency of a behavior (ex. Giving an employee a favorable performance evaluation) ○ Negative reinforcement – occurs when the removal or termination of an undesirable consequence increases the frequency of a behavior (ex. Removing an employee from probation is an example) ○ Punishment – (shouting) involves administering an aversive, or undesirable, consequence and serves to decrease the frequency of a behavior ○ Extinction – target behavior decreases because it is followed by no consequence (forgetting to say thanks for a favor) Both positive and negative reinforcement se...