BASIC PRINCIPALS OF REINFORCEMENT TWO TYPES: -Positive Reinforcement -Negative Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement  Positive Reinforcement is best defined as the presentation of a desirable consequence, following the occurrence of a specific behavior, which increases the probability that the behavior will occur more frequently in the future. -Example: Bobby approaches his mother and uses his words to request a cookie. -Example: Bobby approaches his mother and uses his words to request a cookie. Mother immediately provides Bobby with a piece of cookie. In the future Bobby uses Mother immediately provides Bobby with a piece of cookie. In the future Bobby uses his words more frequently to request cookies. his words more frequently to request cookies. ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE He approaches Mother and requests a Cookie. Bobby is hungry. Mother provides a piece of cookie.

Negative Reinforcement  Negative Reinforcement is best defined as the removal of, or avoidance of an undesirable situation, following the occurrence of a specific behavior which increases the probability that the behavior will occur more frequently in the future.  Two Types: Escape and Avoidance (of something aversive). -Example: Timmy is having a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store because his Mother has refused to buy him a candy bar. After listening to his tantrum for 5 minutes Timmy’s mother gives in and buys him a candy bar. He immediately stops his tantrum. -Example: Timmy is having a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store because his Mother has refused to buy him a candy bar. After listening to his tantrum for 5 minutes Timmy’s mother gives in and buys him a candy bar. He immediately stops his tantrum. ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE Timmy is having a tantrum.Mother gives in and buys candy. Mom escapes Timmy’s tantrum.

Negative Reinforcement - Example: Yesterday while walking home from school Ronnie was approached by the school bully, who proceeded to knock Ronnie’s glasses off and give him a black eye for no apparent reason. While walking home today Ronnie sees the bully approaching and quickly crosses the street and runs home without incident. - Example: Yesterday while walking home from school Ronnie was approached by the school bully, who proceeded to knock Ronnie’s glasses off and give him a black eye for no apparent reason. While walking home today Ronnie sees the bully approaching and quickly crosses the street and runs home without incident. ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE ANTECEDENT BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCE Bully is approachingRonnie crosses street and runs Ronnie avoids being beaten up

Reinforcers Two Types of Reinforcers: Primary and Secondary Two Types of Reinforcers: Primary and Secondary 1. Primary reinforcers: are defined as items that have great value to 1. Primary reinforcers: are defined as items that have great value to us through naturally occurring biological processes. No learning is us through naturally occurring biological processes. No learning is required. required. Food, water, air, sleep, shelter, physical contact with others

Comparison of Positive and Negative Reinforcement Positive Negative Positive Negative Follows a behavior Increases behavior Involves the presentation of a desirable stimulus Involves the removal or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus

Reinforcers 2. Secondary reinforcers: are defined as items or activities that become valuable to us through a learning process, or through pairing with primary reinforcers. 2. Secondary reinforcers: are defined as items or activities that become valuable to us through a learning process, or through pairing with primary reinforcers. money, games, high-5’s, hugs, praise, recess, computer, books, coloring, recess

Reinforcers FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REINFORCERS EFFECTIVENESS OF REINFORCERS 1. Immediacy of presentation: Time between the occurrence of the behavior and receipt of reinforcer. The sooner the better. 2. Quantity, quality, and duration: How much reinforcement is being given, how valuable is it, for how long is it available. 3. Deprivation and satiation: Have I recently had it, or has it been a while. *Chocolate is highly reinforcing for me if I have not had any recently, but not reinforcing if I just ate an entire box of chocolates. *Chocolate is highly reinforcing for me if I have not had any recently, but not reinforcing if I just ate an entire box of chocolates. 4. Personal preferences: What may be reinforcing to me, may not be reinforcing to others. to others.

Schedules of Reinforcement Specify the performance conditions under which reinforcement will be made Specify the performance conditions under which reinforcement will be made available. available. 1. Continuous schedule: Reinforcement is given immediately following each and every occurrence of a specified behavior. *Typically used when teaching the every occurrence of a specified behavior. *Typically used when teaching the acquisition of new skills. acquisition of new skills. 2. Intermittent schedule: Reinforcement is given on some but not all occasions of which a specified behavior occurs. Typically used to maintain or increase the performance of skills that have been learned (maintenance and fluency). which a specified behavior occurs. Typically used to maintain or increase the performance of skills that have been learned (maintenance and fluency). 4 types: Interval and Ratio and Fixed and Variable 4 types: Interval and Ratio and Fixed and Variable

Schedules of Reinforcement 1.Fixed Ratio: Reinforcement is provided only after a specified number of response has occurred. Ex. Fixed Ratio 5 Schedule – Individual receives reinforcement each time Ex. Fixed Ratio 5 Schedule – Individual receives reinforcement each time he/she reads 5 sight words in a row correctly. he/she reads 5 sight words in a row correctly. 2. Variable Ratio: Reinforcement is provided following the occurrence of a non- specific number of responses based around an average number of responses Ex. Variable Interval 10 Schedule – Individual would receive reinforcement after reading an average of 10 sight words in a row correctly, but might receive reinforcement after reading 3, 7, 11, or 15 words correctly. Ex. Variable Interval 10 Schedule – Individual would receive reinforcement after reading an average of 10 sight words in a row correctly, but might receive reinforcement after reading 3, 7, 11, or 15 words correctly. Ratio Schedules Fixed Variable

Schedules of Reinforcement Interval Schedules Fixed Variable 1. Fixed Interval: Reinforcement is provided only after a specified interval of time has elapsed. Ex. Fixed Interval 3 Minute Schedule. The individual receives reinforcement for the first response that occurs immediately after 3 continuous minutes of uninterrupted oral reading. 2. Variable Interval: Reinforcement is provided following the first response after a non-specific interval of time has elapsed, based upon an average amount of time. Ex. Variable Interval 5 Minute Schedule: The individual receives reinforcement immediately after reading orally for an average of 5 minutes, but may receive reinforcement after 1, 3, 7, 8, or 11 minutes.