frustrative nonreward hypothesis

the proposition that withholding previously given reinforcement of responses during operant or instrumental conditioning leads to an internal state of frustration, which sometimes paradoxically motivates the subject (the frustration effect), at least for a while. [proposed by Abraham Amsel (1922–2006), U.S. behavioral psychologist]

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Psychology term of the day

January 15th 2025

morphophilia

n. interest in sexual partners whose body characteristics (e.g., height, weight, skin and hair color) are different from one’s own.