Operant Conditioning and Positive Reinforcement Notes

Reinforcement

any event that increases the probability that a prior response will be repeated

Positive Reinforcement

procedure used to increase the probability of a response by following it w/ a positive reinforcer

Positive Reinforcer

any stimulus whose presentation increases probability that a response will be repeated

Factors the Influence Effectiveness of Positive RFCT

1. selecting the behavior to be increase - start with a general behavior category, then define specific examples of the desired behavior

2. choosing reinforcers - determine if it is appropriate for the client

3. motivating operations - client needs to be deprived of it for some time in order for rfcr to be most effective

4. immediacy - rfcr should be administered immediately following the desired behavior in order to be most effective

5. Instructions - establish rules that will govern the administration of rfcrs

6. contingent vs. non-contingent rfct - behavior must occur before a rfcr can be presented, then rfcr is contingent upon behavior. if rfcr is presented at time that behavior doesn’t necessarily precede it, it’s non-contingent

7. weaning client from program & change to natural rfcrs - very important and addresses the situation when the rfcrs are no longer being provided