Reinforcement

Occurs when a stimulus change immediately follows a response and increases the future frequency of that type of behavior in similar circumstances Reinforcement can also strengthen the duration, latency, magnitude, and/or topography of behavior How immediate? The behavior closest in time to the reinforcer will be strengthened When behavior is affected by a delayed consequence, language is probably playing a role and not simply reinforcement

Rule-Governed Behavior Behavior controlled by a verbal description of a contingency Example: If you get your work done by the end of the day, we’ll go to McDonald’s. Allows behavior to come under control of delayed consequences

Signs That Behavior is a Result of Rule Following Rather Than Reinforcement No immediate consequence for the behavior is apparent The response-consequence delay is greater than 30 seconds Behavior changes without reinforcement A large increase in the frequency of the behavior occurs following one instance of reinforcement No consequence for the behavior exists, including no automatic reinforcement, but the rule exists

Common Mistakes in Talking About S R Reinforce him when he points to right picture. We reinforce behaviors, not people How might you say the above sentence differently? Practicing reinforces the skill. What’s wrong with this statement? Artificial reinforcement Consider using contrived Feedback = Reinforcement Feedback: Info a person receives about a particular aspect of his behavior following its completion

Classifying Reinforcers Unconditioned (Primary) S R A stimulus change that functions as a reinforcer even though the learner has had no particular learning history Examples? Conditioned (Secondary) S R A previously neutral stimulus change that has acquired the capability to function as a reinforcer through stimulus-stimulus pairing with a reinforcer Generalized conditioned Reinforcer: conditioned SR that has been paired with a variety of reinforcers Positive/Negative Reinforcers

Positive Reinforcement Occurs when a behavior is followed immediately by the presentation of a stimulus that increases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions Positive reinforcer: a stimulus whose presentation or onset functions as reinforcement

Response R Positive Reinforcer S R+ Open a bag of chips See chips Reach out to your cup Have the cup in your hand Say, “hi” Get a token on your token board

Negative Reinforcement Occurs when a behavior is followed immediately by the removal, termination, reduction, or postponement of a stimulus that increases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions Negative reinforcer: a stimulus whose termination or reduction functions as reinforcement Can be unconditioned (e.g., pain) or conditioned (e.g., dirty look) Note: Negative Reinforcement is not punishment!

R Negative Reinforcer S R- Cover ears Loud sound goes away Scream Hard work is removed Look away No more scary sight

Escape and Avoidance Previous examples were escape contingencies (the response produces escape from something) Avoidance Contingency Response prevents or postpones something Examples Walk perfectly No stumbling Look at teacher No reprimand

Reinforcement can be classified as social or automatic Social Reinforcement: the reinforcer is delivered by another person e.g., attention Automatic Reinforcement: Reinforcement that occurs independent of the social mediation of others Automatic Positive Reinforcement : e.g., humming, eating something Automatic Negative Reinforcement : e.g., scratching an itch, spitting something out Nothing special about it – it would be reinforcing if delivered by someone else A behavior can be socially reinforced in some situations and automatically reinforced in others e.g., playing a musical instrument 6 Automatic Reinforcement

Response R Automatic Reinforcer Hum Hear nice sound Eat a candy Taste sweet Spit out lima beans Gross taste is gone Scratch itch Itch is gone

Problem Behaviors Often Maintained by Automatic Reinforcement Stereotypy Self-injurious behavior (SIB) Pica “Habit” disorders? (e.g., trichotillomania, nail biting, skin picking) Tics?

Classifying S R by Physical Properties Edible Sensory Tangible Activity – opportunity to engage in a behavior functions as a reinforcer Social