Chapter Overview Consequences Chapter 7

Developed by Rosiana L. Azman, Ph.D. and Kelly B.T. Chang, Ph.D.Focuses on applying behavioral reinforcement strategies.

Key Concepts and Overview

• Discovering and Selecting Reinforcers

• Using Others to Dispense Reinforcers

• Learning Self-Reward and Self-Control

• Techniques of Self-Reinforcement

• Self-Punishment and Extinction

• Reinforcement Plans for Self-Modification

Review of Reinforcement Types

• Positive Reinforcement: Adds a favorable stimulus to encourage behavior.

• Negative Reinforcement: Removes an unfavorable stimulus to encourage behavior.

• Punishment: Discourages behavior through adverse consequences.Reference: Watson & Tharp, Self-Directed Behavior 10e

Activity: Labeling Reinforcers

Identify scenarios as Positive Reinforcer (PR), Negative Reinforcer (NR), or Punishment (PUN).

• Aspirin Case: Headache relief from aspirin is a Negative Reinforcer.

• Child and Candy Case: Child tantrums for candy; candy is a Positive Reinforcer, quietness is Negative Reinforcer.

• Teen Grounding Case: Grounding until room is cleaned is a Negative Reinforcer, escape is Punishment.

Discovering and Selecting Reinforcers

• Contingent Reinforcer: Delivered after a specific response; change contingencies for desirable behavior.

• Premack Principle: Any preferred activity can reinforce a less preferred one when choices exist.

• Conditions Obscuring Reinforcers: Intermittent schedules, delayed reinforcement, avoidance behaviors.Reference: Watson & Tharp, Self-Directed Behavior 10e

Difficulties in Discovering Reinforcers

• Behaviors may closely tie to reinforcers.

• Problem behaviors may follow hard-to-detect intermittent schedules.

• Individuals may avoid identifying reinforcers.

Using Others to Dispense Reinforcers

• Mediators: Important individuals delivering consequences.

• Shared Reinforcers: Activities with others as reinforcers for added motivation.

• Self-Administered Consequences: Influence behavior; self-rewards debated as true reinforcers.

Techniques of Self-Reinforcement

• Rapid Contingent Reinforcement: Immediate following of desired behavior.

• Cultivate Interest: Foster engagement in the activity.

• Token Reinforcement: Bridges delays between behavior and reward.

• Imagined Reinforcers & Verbal Self-Reinforcement: Visualization and self-praise techniques.

Self-Punishment and Extinction

• Punishment does not teach new behaviors.

• Tips: Remove positives instead of adding negatives, combine with positive reinforcement, and use precommitted punishment effectively.

Using Reinforcement to Change Behavior

Integrate reinforcers in plans for controlling antecedents and fostering new behaviors, including imagined rehearsal and shaping through step reinforcement.