In behavioral science, a reward is something that is given to a person as a consequence of their behavior, with the intention of reinforcing or increasing the likelihood of that behavior in the future. Rewards can take many forms, such as praise, money, or tangible objects. They are a fundamental part of many psychological theories of learning and behavior, including operant conditioning and reinforcement learning. Rewards are thought to work by increasing the attractiveness or value of a behavior, making it more likely that the person will engage in the behavior again in the future. Rewards can be an effective way to promote desired behaviors, but they can also have negative consequences if they are used excessively or in the wrong way.
