A huge amount of training relies upon learners responding to consequences. Some consequences strengthen behaviours (we call these reinforcers). Some consequences weaken behaviours ( we call these punishers).
On the surface:
A consequence that the animal 'likes/ wants again' will strengthen behaviour.
A consequence that they 'dislike/ don't want again' will weaken behaviour.
Let's go deeper.
WHY do they like/ dislike/ want/ don't want, these consequences?
Because they bring about pleasant/ unpleasant feelings.
3 ways of feeling.
*Sensory (feelings from the senses - hearing, taste, touch, sight, smell, balance (vestibular), awareness of the position and movement of the body (proprioception).)
*Internal states (feelings from temperature/ hunger/ thirst etc)
*Emotions (feelings within the body from physiological effects e.g. racing heart/ butterflies/ muscle tension etc.)
Consequences make our learner FEEL something/s that they either want to feel again, or not.
If the consequence was entirely neutral it wouldn't change behaviour.
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