Chapter 5 Methods to Decrease Operant Behavior

What Is Extinction? extinction is: –the procedure of eliminating the consequence of a behavior that had previously reinforced that behavior –weakening of a behavior that occurs when it is no longer reinforced extinction does not erase the memory of the behavior

Identifying and Controlling Reinforcement for Extinction first identify the consequence maintaining the behavior eliminate all sources of reinforcement combine with procedures that reinforce incompatible responses

The Process and Characteristics of Extinction extinction may at first increase the behavior (extinction burst) extinction may increase aggressive and other emotional behaviors bursts and emotional responses may be reduced by reinforcing alternative responses

The Process and Characteristics of Extinction (continued) extinction results in gradual or irregular decreases in responding behavior can reappear (spontaneous recovery) spontaneous recovery is less likely to occur when an alternative response is reinforced

What Factors Affect Extinction Effectiveness? behaviors are more resistant to extinction when: reinforcers maintaining a behavior were not clearly defined not all reinforcers were withheld alternative responses were not reinforced behavior was reinforced for a long time the value of reinforcers was high

What Factors Affect Extinction Effectiveness? (continued) the behavior was reinforced intermittently instructions regarding the new contingencies were not provided

What Is Punishment? punishment is a procedure in which consequences decrease the strength of a behavior the consequence that decreases behavior is referred to as a punisher consequences are punishers only when they weaken a behavior consequences are not punishers simply because they appear to be unpleasant

Positive and Negative Punishment some distinguish between positive and negative punishers –positive refers to a consequence that is given –negative refers to a consequence that is taken away negative reinforcement is not the same as punishment

Positive and Negative Punishment

Types of Punishment: Physically Aversive Consequences physically aversive consequences are those that cause discomfort or pain examples include: –shock –bitter tastes –foul or pungent odors ethical concerns arise aggression and other side effects have been reported

Types of Punishment: Reprimands reprimands are verbal statements that sharply criticize a behavior reprimands are conditioned punishers reprimands are easy to apply and can be more effective than other consequences reprimands may serve as reinforcers reprimands may only suppress behavior for a brief period

Types of Punishment: Aversive Activities requiring aversive activities when the behavior occurs can serve to reduce behavior –the Premack principle can be used to identify appropriate activities overcorrection requires as a consequence activities that correct or are the opposite of the undesirable behavior

Types of Punishment: Aversive Activities (continued) restitution requires behaviors that lead to a correction of the impact the inappropriate behavior had on the environment positive practice requires that an appropriate related activity or appropriate alternative repeatedly be performed

Types of Punishment: Time-Out time-out from positive reinforcement removes the individual from a reinforcing environment as a consequence for inappropriate behavior behavior will be suppressed only when the new environment is less reinforcing –isolation time-out moves the individual to a new environment

Types of Punishment: Time-Out (continued) –exclusion time-out disallows the individual from participating in activities –nonexclusion time-out allows continued participation but does not allow the individual to earn reinforcers time-out periods should be brief

Types of Punishment: Response Cost response cost punishes behavior by taking away a valued item or privilege valued items could include: –money –TV time – articles of clothing the procedure is relatively easy to apply, especially when part of token reinforcement programs

Advantages of Punishment results are rapid behavior that may be resistant to other forms of treatment may respond to punishment there may be positive side-effects, such as generalization may lead to complete suppression of the unwanted behavior

Disadvantages of Punishment may cause undesirable emotional responses may cause escape and avoidance responses may lead to aggressive responses the individual may learn to use punishment to control others

When to Consider Using Punishment use only after other less restrictive procedures have failed more easily justified when the behavior: –can cause injury –is highly embarrassing –is bizarre may be necessary when behavior is maintained by strong reinforcers that cannot be controlled by the therapist

When to Consider Using Punishment (continued) may be limited by the types of punishers available

How to Use Punishment Well punish each instance of behavior immediately reinforce appropriate responses provide instructions about the contingencies use the mildest level that allows achievement of goals

How to Use Punishment Well (continued) when reducing chains, punish early in the sequence vary forms of punishment recognize limitations of self-administered punishment

Differential Reinforcement to Decrease a Behavior differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) involves reinforcing behaviors that are difficult to do at the same time as the inappropriate behavior differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL)of responding involves reinforcing the individual when rate of engaging in the inappropriate behavior is below a specified level

Differential Reinforcement to Decrease a Behavior (continued) differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) involves reinforcing the individual when the inappropriate behavior does not occur at all

Habit Reversal competing response practice requires maintenance of alternate response in presence of stimuli associated with an unwanted behavior other methods make the individual more aware that he or she is engaging in an unwanted behavior through reinforcement or feedback

Self-Monitoring and Self-Instructions self-monitoring procedures reduce unwanted behavior by requiring self-recording of instances of the behavior self-instruction requires self-statements like "don't" when the behavior occurs

Tips on Using Extinction and Punishment make clear the relationship between behavior and consequences identify appropriate alternative behaviors, and reinforce them if they occur clearly evaluate what consequences are maintaining inappropriate behaviors expect bursts of inappropriate behavior early in the process of extinction

Tips on Using Extinction and Punishment (continued) select weakest effective punishers apply punishers immediately and after every instance of the behavior response cost is effective only if there is something to lose do not present punishers concurrently with reinforcers use warning cues with presentation of punishers