Operant Conditioning

Positive Reinforcement

Occurs when a response is immediately followed by a stimulus that increases the future occurrence of similar responses.

Positive Reinforcer

A stimulus presented following a behavior that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

Negative Reinforcement

An operant contingency where responding increases due to the termination, reduction, or postponement of a stimulus.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the future occurrence of a behavior; can be positive or negative.

Immediacy of Reinforcement

The importance of delivering reinforcement immediately after a desired behavior for it to be effective.

Escape Contingency

A form of negative reinforcement where a response terminates an ongoing aversive stimulus.

Avoidance Contingency

A response that prevents or postpones the presentation of an aversive stimulus.

Response Cost

The response-contingent loss of a specific number of positive reinforcers, decreasing future occurrences of similar responses.

Nonexclusion Time-Out

Participants remain in the time-in setting, but access to reinforcers is removed.

Exclusion Time-Out

Participants are physically removed from the time-in environment for a specified duration.

Reinforcer Assessment

Methods for determining the effects of a stimulus as reinforcement under varying conditions.

Stimulus Preference Assessment

Methods used to identify which stimuli a person prefers and their relative preference value.

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement for every occurrence of the target behavior.

Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that does not provide reinforcement for every response.

Descriptive Praise

Providing specific verbal feedback that acknowledges behavior positively.

Contingent Observation

Removing the individual from a reinforcing activity while allowing them to observe others engaging in it.

Planned Ignoring

Systematically avoiding interaction with an individual to remove social reinforcement.

Time-Out Room

A designated area to safely isolate an individual away from reinforcing stimuli.

Overcorrection

Punishment procedure where an individual must correct the consequences of their behavior.

Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD)

Interrupting a behavior at its onset and redirecting to a more appropriate behavior.

Conditioned Negative Reinforcer

Stimuli that strengthen behavior due to prior pairing with other negative reinforcers.

Unconditioned Negative Reinforcer

Stimuli that strengthen behavior without prior learning.

Behavioral Contrast

Changes in the frequency of a behavior in one context due to punishment used in another.

Social Negative Reinforcement

Strengthening a behavior through social means, such as escaping criticism.

Automatic Negative Reinforcement

Reduction of an aversive stimulus directly through an individual's actions.

Ethical Considerations in Punishment

Guidelines ensuring the use of punishment causes no harm and uses least restrictive alternatives.

Generalized Conditioned Reinforcers

Stimuli that are associated with multiple sources of reinforcement.

Premack Principle

Saying that high-frequency behaviors can reinforce low-frequency behaviors.

Elements of a Negative Reinforcement Contingency

Establishing operation, discriminative stimulus, response, and termination.

Guidelines for Effective Punishment

Strategies that include using effective/appropriate punishers, monitoring consequences, and obtaining consent.

Interventions for Reinforcement

Methods to encourage desired behaviors through reinforcers.

Reinforcement Schedules

Plans determining how often reinforcement should be provided.

Behavioral Interventions

Strategies used in applied behavior analysis to teach desired behaviors.

Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Reinforcement increases behavior frequency, while punishment decreases it.

Three-term Contingency

Antecedent, behavior, and consequence model for understanding reinforcement.

Four-term Contingency

Includes establishing operations to enhance the effectiveness of a reinforcer.

Effectiveness of Negative Reinforcement

Increases behavior by removing an aversive stimulus.

Potential Side Effects of Punishment

Emotional reactions, aggressive behavior, and avoidance are potential risks.

Undesirable Aspects of Negative Punishment

May cause emotional/behavioral issues such as escape and aggression.

Effective Use of Time-Out

Implement time-out procedures ensuring appropriate duration and monitoring.

Characteristics of Positive Reinforcement

Includes immediacy, magnitude, and consistency for effectiveness.

Automaticity of Reinforcement

Reinforcement strengthens behavior regardless of awareness of the connection.

Reinforcer Assessment Methods

Includes in-the-moment assessments, concurrent and progressive schedules.

Implementation of Response Cost

Losing positive reinforcers contingent upon a specific undesirable behavior.

Effective Reinforcers

Stimuli that result in an increased likelihood of desired behaviors.

Responses to Ethical Concerns in Punishment

Ensure adequate training, informed consent, and staff supervision.