Reinforcement occurs when a behavior is closely followed by a stimulus, leading to an increase in the future frequency of that behavior under similar conditions.
The focus is on the change in behavior resulting from the delivery of a reinforcer.
This differs from preferences; something preferred might not function as a reinforcer.
Terminology of Reinforcement
Reinforcer (noun): A stimulus.
Example: "Justin used action figures as reinforcers for the child's expressive labeling."
Reinforcing (adjective): Describes a property of the stimulus.
Example: "The reinforcing stimulus was produced 10 times within the session."
Reinforcement (noun):
Operation: Delivery of consequences following a response.
Example: "The fixed rate schedule of reinforcement delivered a token after every fifth label."
Process: Increase in responding resulting from reinforcement.
Example: "The number of labels increased as a result of reinforcement."
Reinforce (verb):
Operation: Deliver consequences when a response occurs.
Example: "A token was used to reinforce a child's expressive labeling."
Process: Increase responding through the reinforcement operation.
Example: "The procedure demonstrates tokens would reinforce expressive labels."
Types of Reinforcement
Two broad categories:
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement
Occurs when a response is followed by the presentation of a stimulus, leading to an increase in future similar responses.
Positive Reinforcer: The stimulus presented as a consequence that changes behavior frequency, duration, or another dimension.
Examples:
Food
Tangible items
Social events (e.g., high five)
Negative Reinforcement
Occurs when a response results in the removal, termination, reduction, or postponement of a stimulus, leading to an increase in the future occurrence of that response.
Negative Reinforcer: The stimulus removed to increase the likelihood of the preceding behavior.
Examples:
Breaks (removal of work)
Removal of chores
Reinforcement always increases the frequency of a behavior.
Positive reinforcement adds something to the environment, while negative reinforcement removes something.
Reinforcement occurs even for undesirable behaviors.
Unconditioned Reinforcers
A stimulus change that can increase future behavior frequency without prior pairing or reinforcement.
Also known as primary reinforcers.
Examples:
Food
Water
Conditioned Reinforcers
A previously neutral stimulus change that has acquired reinforcing capabilities through pairing with unconditioned or conditioned reinforcers.
Also known as secondary reinforcers.
Examples:
Money
Sports
Alcohol
Generalized Conditioned Reinforcers
A conditioned reinforcer that has been paired with many unconditioned or conditioned reinforcers.
Examples:
Tokens
Money (when tied to multiple reinforcers)
The aim in autism intervention is to use generalized conditioned reinforcers.
Differential Reinforcement
Differential reinforcement involves reinforcing specific behaviors while withholding reinforcement for others.
Types of Differential Reinforcement
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA): Reinforcement is delivered for a specified alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement for the target behavior.
Example: Reinforcing saying "Hey, Joe" instead of tapping on the shoulder.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO): Reinforcement is delivered for any behavior other than the target behavior.
Other types include differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior, incompatible behavior, diminishing rates, and high rates of behavior.
Other Reinforcement Terms
Automatic Reinforcement: Behavior produces its own reinforcement, independent of others' mediation; also known as sensory reinforcement.
Example: Scratching a mosquito bite.
Premack Principle: Using a high-frequency behavior as a reinforcer for a low-frequency behavior.