"It's a Positive Reinforcement Machine. When you ignore your busting impulses, you get a reward." — Mandy[src] |
The Positive Reinforcement Machine is a restraint contraption built by Phineas and Ferb to assist in Candace's busting counseling.
History[]
Candace, aiming to control her busting urge, attends the Stop the Busting Retreat led by Mandy at the Danville Community Center. Perceiving the former's strong impulse, the latter offers to help with a different method. At the park, Mandy has Candace try out the Positive Reinforcement Machine to efficiently learn restraint.
An example scenario of the boys constructing a rocket ship is presented, with Candace choosing to ignore it. Receiving praise, she rapidly calms her instincs down, causing her to wonder about the inventors of the device. Thanks to a slip up, she learns of her brothers' involvement with her therapy, pushing her to keep the status quo after smashing the machine ("Perry The Actorpus").
Design[]
The Positive Reinforcement Machine is a control device modeled after a human body. The user's lower half is covered by red and white shoe-like parts, dark grey robotic legs, and a red half-circle waist with a white top, inside of which is a teal backrest seat, light grey arm encasers, a wired white VR headset, and a grey mechanical arm linked to a white hand.
Connected to the main body by a dark grey pipe-esque piece, the atop red command seat for the advisor is equipped with a light grey ladder, a backside white and grey antenna, a teal seating, two black control sticks, a dark grey headset, yellow headlights, and a grey connector, through which a white monitor and a yellow speaker are placed.
Mechanics[]
The Positive Reinforcement Machine is based on behavorial psychology, applying its concepts of stimuli in order to alter the user's instincts. Scenarios are shown by the monitor and captured by the headset, enabling the patient to make a judgement call about them. Upon achieving a desired outcome, a reward system takes effect, resulting in praise for the user, specifically caressing and words of encouragement from the machine.
Background Information[]
- The name of the machine is a reference to the reinforcement theory, a psychological analysis stating that an individual's behavior is a byproduct of their actions' consequences, which is the basis of the device's function.
- Aside from the rocket ship example, Mandy shows a situation in which Phineas and Ferb issue a gold-based currency that devalues the euro. This is likely a jab at inflation, which is a result of devaluation.
- The cheering provided by the machine is of the form "you are a good girl, yes, you are", a nod to the "who's a good boy/girl?" phrase usually employed to address pets.
- The Positive Reinforcement Machine is voiced by George Takei, whose guest appearance was first revealed by the credits of the sister episode "Bullseye!" on September 30, 2011.
Appearances[]
- "Perry The Actorpus" (First appearance)
Previous: Totally Tools Sponsor |
Big Ideas | Next: Anti-Gravity Maximus |