Schedules of Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a phenomena observed when a stimulus, presented contingent upon some response, causes an increase in that response over time.
More simply stated (I hope): when a behavior produces a specific consequence repeatedly, that consequence strengthens (reinforces) that behavior, making it more likely to occur in that same context again.
Different schedules of reinforcement produce different effects on behavior - the enterprising behavior analyst can take advantage of this research to assist a client in learning a new skill. People will come up to you with all kinds of wildly differing needs - some folks might need help learning to talk, others might need help learning how to train their pet otter to jump through a hoop.
Knowing the basics of reinforcement schedules will make you just that much more prepared to assist these people when the time comes.
Think you're hot stuff? Take ABA.Rock's Reinforcement Schedule: Deck 1 - BCBA Topic: Schedules of Reinforcement (new as of August 5th, 2019). Don't be shy!
