Definition:
In operant conditioning, Selective Reinforcement is just like positive reinforcement in that it involves the addition of a reinforcing stimulus following a behavior that makes it more likely that the behavior will occur again in the future. It is also believed that when a favorable outcome, event, or reward occurs after an action, that particular response or behavior will be strengthened. Selective reinforcement goes a step further though and suggests that unwanted behaviors should be ignored or not reinforced. This follows the same train of thought that behavior that is not reinforced will weaken over time.