The Power of Reinforcement (Alternatives in Psychology) (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) [Paperback]

Stephen Ray Flora (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0791459160 | ISBN-13: 978-0791459164

Makes the controversial argument that reinforcement is a real and valuable force in human behavior.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

According to Stephen Ray Flora, reinforcement is a very powerful tool for improving the human condition despite often being dismissed as regarding people as less than human and as overly simplistic. This book addresses and defends the use of reinforcement principles against a wide variety of attacks. Countering the myths, criticisms, and misrepresentations of reinforcement, including false claims that reinforcement is rat psychology, the author shows that building reinforcement theory on basic laboratory research is a strength, not a weakness, and allows unlimited applications to human situations as it promotes well-being and productivity. Also examined are reinforcement contingencies, planned or accidental, as they shape behavioral patterns and repertoires in a positive way. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Stephen Ray Flora is Associate Professor of Psychology at Youngstown State University. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (January 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791459160
• ISBN-13: 978-0791459164
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Controversial?, April 5, 2006

By 

Mark T. Williamson (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Reinforcement (Alternatives in Psychology) (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) (Paperback)

The book description for Mr. Flora's book is one of the reasons why we as nation are still struggling to teach our children well. It is baffling that we have the key to unlocking so much human potential, yet we withhold it for fear of some shadowy determinism which we think will run our lives. Reinforcement does not limit an individual, it profides greater competency, which ultimately gives the individual more choice. I feel that everyone will gain from a reading of this book, and it should be required reading for all teachers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book of Consequence, February 13, 2009

By 

Paul Chance "author, The Teacher's Craft" (Delaware, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Reinforcement (Alternatives in Psychology) (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) (Paperback)

Reinforcement is the most powerful concept in psychology. Understand it and you will have a much better understanding of why people (including yourself) behave as they do. You will also be able to use reinforcement to improve your dealings with others: your children, spouse, parents, coworkers, neighbors, students.

Reinforcement is derived from the law of effect, the idea that the tendency to perform a particular kind of behavior depends on the effects that behavior has had in the past. When the effects or consequences of a behavior strengthen it, we say the behavior has been reinforced.

Reinforcement may seem too simple a concept to justify an entire book, even a fairly short book such as this one. But while the basic concept of reinforcement is simple, its implementation is complicated. That is probably one reason why there are so many misconceptions about it. One of Flora's goals is to correct some of these "myths," such as the idea that reinforcement is synonymous with bribery (it's very different), that it undermines intrinsic motivation (it's more likely to enhance it), that it reduces creativity (it's one of the best ways to increase it). Flora also illustrates how reinforcement has been put to good use in a variety of settings - homes, schools, clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, etc.

Flora's writing is not as fluid as it might be, but it's far less stuffy and technical than the journals on which it draws, so any college student should be able to read the book without difficulty. Reading it is particularly likely to be beneficial to those for whom managing others is part of their daily work, especially parents, teachers, and company executives. It would also serve well as a text in education and management courses. Read the book, and get the power of reinforcement.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful book., March 16, 2011

By 

Robert Whitcomb - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Reinforcement (Alternatives in Psychology) (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) (Paperback)

It's hard for me to explain the impact of this book on me. Dr Flora, in a clear, concise fashion, presents a combination of well thought out arguments combined with research based evidence, that he himself has conducted, that make a strong argument. Reinforcement is presented as both the explanation of behavior as well the most powerful tool for shaping that behavior. I am of the opinion that this book should be required for educators, managers, and parents alike. Anyone who is responsible for managing the behaviors of other people need to understand the role that reinforcements play in behavior selection as well as how that role can be used to gain the desired behavior.