REINFORCEMENTS Tristram Jones, Ph.D. Kaplan University PS517, Unit IV

What IS reinforcement? A process for increasing the rate or probability of a specific behavior (e.g. pulling a lever more frequently) by the delivery of a stimulus (e.g. a candy) immediately or shortly after the behavior, called a "response," is performed. A process for increasing the rate or probability of a specific behavior (e.g. pulling a lever more frequently) by the delivery of a stimulus (e.g. a candy) immediately or shortly after the behavior, called a "response," is performed.

Let’s always remember: Consequences which give Rewards increase a behavior. (Reinforcement) Consequences which give Rewards increase a behavior. (Reinforcement) Consequences which give Punishments decrease a behavior. Consequences which give Punishments decrease a behavior. Consequences which give neither Rewards nor Punishments extinguish a behavior. Consequences which give neither Rewards nor Punishments extinguish a behavior.

Thinking more about this: What is a reward? Anything that increases the behavior. What is a reward? Anything that increases the behavior. What is a punisher? Anything that decreases the behavior What is a punisher? Anything that decreases the behavior Can’t that get turned upside down? What behavior are we aiming for, after all? Less Hulk or more Dr. Banner? Can’t that get turned upside down? What behavior are we aiming for, after all? Less Hulk or more Dr. Banner?

What’s going on, isn’t this science? What's going on is this: Reinforcement theory is a “functional” theory. That means all of its components are defined by their function (how they work) rather than by their structure (how they look). See these men getting reinforced? What's going on is this: Reinforcement theory is a “functional” theory. That means all of its components are defined by their function (how they work) rather than by their structure (how they look). See these men getting reinforced?

Is whipping galley slaves reinforcement? Doesn’t seem right somehow! Is whipping galley slaves reinforcement? Doesn’t seem right somehow! Is it positive punishment? Nope. Positive punishment occurs when a negative consequence is applied in response to an undesired behavior. Over time, positive punishment can decrease the likelihood that the behavior will continue. Is it positive punishment? Nope. Positive punishment occurs when a negative consequence is applied in response to an undesired behavior. Over time, positive punishment can decrease the likelihood that the behavior will continue.

Is it negative punishment? Negative punishment occurs when something desired is taken away as a consequence of a certain behavior. Over time, this can decrease the frequency of the undesired behavior. Is it negative punishment? Negative punishment occurs when something desired is taken away as a consequence of a certain behavior. Over time, this can decrease the frequency of the undesired behavior.

Maybe it’s NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT? Pretty good guess! Negative Reinforcement strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior. Pretty good guess! Negative Reinforcement strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior. BUT: We could argue that slaves are whipped continuously, so it is positive reinforcement, in other words, the adding of a stimulus to increase a certain behavior or response. So confusingly enough we now have AVERSIVE REINFORCEMENT! But don’t worry about that! BUT: We could argue that slaves are whipped continuously, so it is positive reinforcement, in other words, the adding of a stimulus to increase a certain behavior or response. So confusingly enough we now have AVERSIVE REINFORCEMENT! But don’t worry about that!

Because we also have (ta-dahh!) DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT! Don’t look now, but it’s the best way to reinforce stuff even though you want to decrease a behavior!!

What is a PRIMARY reinforcer? Any reinforcement that tends to lose effectiveness temporarily through SATIATION is primary! (Including whipping galley slaves all the time!) Any reinforcement that tends to lose effectiveness temporarily through SATIATION is primary! (Including whipping galley slaves all the time!)

What is a conditional reinforcer? Any reinforcer that loses its effectiveness permanently through unpaired presentations! Any reinforcer that loses its effectiveness permanently through unpaired presentations!

Why should we individualize reinforcers? Because one subject’s hell is another subject’s heaven! Because one subject’s hell is another subject’s heaven! punishment reward

What is the effect of contingency? The Skinnerian principle that effectiveness occurs only when reinforcement occurs for the desired behavior! Never reinforce an unwanted behavior! The Skinnerian principle that effectiveness occurs only when reinforcement occurs for the desired behavior! Never reinforce an unwanted behavior!

What is the EFFECT OF IMMEDIACY? The more immediate the reward or punishment is in the wake of the target behavior the more effective it will be! The more immediate the reward or punishment is in the wake of the target behavior the more effective it will be!

What is the effect of deprivation? The opposite of satiation! The less the subject has had of a given reinforcer, the more powerful its effect! The opposite of satiation! The less the subject has had of a given reinforcer, the more powerful its effect!

What is the EFFECT OF SIZE? The more worthwhile the Reinforcer, the more powerful! (Duh!) The more worthwhile the Reinforcer, the more powerful! (Duh!)

What about Differential Reinforcement? Differential reinforcement means that you reinforce one behavior while extinguishing others! Differential reinforcement means that you reinforce one behavior while extinguishing others! It’s like sandwiching in Kenpo Karate, really!, It’s like sandwiching in Kenpo Karate, really!,

Let’s say Suzy is unhappy being physically unfit! To enhance fitness, Differential Reinforcement requires: 1.Two distinct behaviors 2. Reinforcement to promote exercise 3. Punishment to curtail binge eating! (Or Extinction!)

So we must address two or more physically distinct behaviors! EXTINGUISH BINGING EXTINGUISH BINGING REINFORCE EXERCISE REINFORCE EXERCISE

And only three weeks later: COMPLETE SUCCESS! Another victory for ABA!!! DRO=OTHER behaviors DRI=INCOMPATIBLE behaviors DRA=ALTERNATIVE behaviors DRL=Low rates of behavior

So how’s that work? So how’s that work? DRO mean rewarding behaviors OTHER than the target behavior. DRO mean rewarding behaviors OTHER than the target behavior. DRI means reinforcing an incompatible behavior like smiling rather than scowling, get it? DRI means reinforcing an incompatible behavior like smiling rather than scowling, get it? DRA means rewarding behaviors not incompatible with, but preferable to the target behavior. (Positive body posture as opposed to a smile, or nodding affirmatively!) DRA means rewarding behaviors not incompatible with, but preferable to the target behavior. (Positive body posture as opposed to a smile, or nodding affirmatively!) DRL means rewarding the subject for emitting fewer and fewer examples of targeted behavior! DRL means rewarding the subject for emitting fewer and fewer examples of targeted behavior!