Reinforcement

This is one of those terms that is very misunderstood. Many people see it as a bribe. The truth of the matter is most of human behaviour is shaped and maintained by reinforcement. For example, if most of us did not get paid we would not go to work. It is the promise of a pay cheque that motivates us to get out of bed on Monday morning. The pay cheque allows us access to all the things in our life (food, shelter, luxuries) that we need and enjoy.

What is reinforcement?
A consequence that INCREASES the likelihood of the behaviour in the future under similar antecedent situations.

How do we know if something is reinforcing?
You won’t know if something worked as a reinforcer until next time you present the learner with the situation. It is only a reinforcer if the behaviour INCREASES (or the person is more likely to engage in this behaviour)

Types of Reinforcement:
• Positive Reinforcement: contingent upon a behaviour, we add something to the environment that increases the likelihood of the behaviour in the future.
For example: We ask a learner to sit, and when they do, we give them a candy and in the future they are more likely to sit when asked. You receive a pay cheque for going to work and in the future you are more likely to continue to go to work.
• Negative Reinforcement: Contingent upon a behaviour, we remove something from the environment that increases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring in the future. (escape and avoidance)
For example: When the learner completes a task they can leave the table. When you comply and take the garbage out, your wife stops nagging.

Understanding reinforcement and learning to use it effectively is the key too changing any behaviour in any population.