Chapter 4Chapter 4

ReinforcementReinforcement

Reinforcement:Reinforcement:

Is a basic principle of behaviorIs a basic principle of behaviorWas established by Skinner in Was established by Skinner in laboratory research and over 40 years laboratory research and over 40 years of human researchof human researchIs a component of many behavior Is a component of many behavior modification proceduresmodification procedures

Defining ReinforcementDefining Reinforcement 1. The occurrence of a behavior1. The occurrence of a behavior2. Results immediately in a consequence2. Results immediately in a consequence3. The behavior is strengthened (more likely to 3. The behavior is strengthened (more likely to

occur again in the future in similar occur again in the future in similar circumstances)circumstances)

Present ----> Behavior is followed by a Present ----> Behavior is followed by a consequenceconsequenceFuture ----> Behavior is more likely to occurFuture ----> Behavior is more likely to occur

** Functional definition of reinforcement** Functional definition of reinforcement

Effects of Reinforcement on Effects of Reinforcement on BehaviorBehavior

Increase in frequencyIncrease in frequency Increase in durationIncrease in duration Increase in intensityIncrease in intensity Increase in quickness (decrease in Increase in quickness (decrease in latency)latency)

What is Operant Behavior?What is Operant Behavior?

Behavior that is strengthened through Behavior that is strengthened through the process of reinforcement - the process of reinforcement - behavior that is controlled by its behavior that is controlled by its consequencesconsequences

What is a Reinforcer?What is a Reinforcer?

The consequence (stimulus or event) The consequence (stimulus or event) that follows operant behavior & that follows operant behavior & strengthens operant behaviorstrengthens operant behavior

Two types of reinforcementTwo types of reinforcement

Positive reinforcementPositive reinforcementNegative reinforcementNegative reinforcement

Both positive reinforcement and Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement strengthen negative reinforcement strengthen behavior - make the behavior more behavior - make the behavior more likely to occur in the futurelikely to occur in the future

What is Positive What is Positive Reinforcement?Reinforcement?

Behavior is followed by the Behavior is followed by the presentation of a stimuluspresentation of a stimulus (a reinforcer) (a reinforcer) and the behavior is strengthenedand the behavior is strengthened

What is Negative What is Negative Reinforcement?Reinforcement?

Behavior is followed by the Behavior is followed by the removal of removal of a stimulusa stimulus (a punisher / aversive (a punisher / aversive stimulus) and the behavior is stimulus) and the behavior is strengthenedstrengthened

Escape and avoidance Escape and avoidance behaviorsbehaviors::

are involved in negative reinforcementare involved in negative reinforcementEscapeEscape - the behavior results in the - the behavior results in the termination of (escape from) the termination of (escape from) the aversive stimulus and the behavior is aversive stimulus and the behavior is strengthened.strengthened.AvoidanceAvoidance - the behavior results in the - the behavior results in the prevention of (avoidance of) the prevention of (avoidance of) the aversive stimulus and the behavior is aversive stimulus and the behavior is strengthened.strengthened.

Everyday Examples of Negative ReinforcementEveryday Examples of Negative Reinforcement Turn the channel during a bad TV showTurn the channel during a bad TV showPut on a coat on a cold dayPut on a coat on a cold dayUse an umbrellaUse an umbrellaSlap a mosquitoSlap a mosquitoTurn up the heatTurn up the heatRoll up the window when it rainsRoll up the window when it rainsWear earplugs on a noisy jobWear earplugs on a noisy jobTurn down the lights, TV, stereoTurn down the lights, TV, stereoTurn on the exhaust fanTurn on the exhaust fanLoosen a tight collar or tieLoosen a tight collar or tieTurn off the alarm buzzerTurn off the alarm buzzerGive in to a screaming kidGive in to a screaming kidTell someone to be quiet in a movieTell someone to be quiet in a movie

Positive and Negative Positive and Negative Reinforcement in the Same SituationReinforcement in the Same Situation

Tantrum in a grocery storeTantrum in a grocery store

Child’s tantrum behavior is Child’s tantrum behavior is strengthened by getting candy from a strengthened by getting candy from a parent (positive reinforcement)parent (positive reinforcement)Parent’s behavior of giving candy to Parent’s behavior of giving candy to child is strengthened by termination of child is strengthened by termination of the tantrum (negative reinforcement)the tantrum (negative reinforcement)

Unconditioned ReinforcersUnconditioned Reinforcers

Biologically determined - survival Biologically determined - survival value for the individualvalue for the individualFood, water, human contact (warmth), Food, water, human contact (warmth), oxygen, sexual contact, escape from oxygen, sexual contact, escape from cold, heat, pain, extreme levels of cold, heat, pain, extreme levels of stimulationstimulation

Conditioned ReinforcersConditioned Reinforcers

A previously neutral stimulusA previously neutral stimulus- repeatedly paired with an established - repeatedly paired with an established

reinforcer (an unconditioned or conditioned reinforcer (an unconditioned or conditioned reinforcer)reinforcer)

- will function as a reinforcer- will function as a reinforcer

Examples of Conditioned ReinforcersExamples of Conditioned Reinforcers Sight, sound, and scent of parentsSight, sound, and scent of parents Parents’ smile, tone of voice, attention, praiseParents’ smile, tone of voice, attention, praise Types of toys, TV shows, music, clothes, activitiesTypes of toys, TV shows, music, clothes, activities Grades, positive evaluationsGrades, positive evaluations Accomplishments (social, physical)Accomplishments (social, physical) Money Money OthersOthers

Conditioned Generalized Conditioned Generalized ReinforcersReinforcers

Paired with a wide variety of other Paired with a wide variety of other reinforcersreinforcers

Money, praise, tokensMoney, praise, tokens

Factors that Influence Factors that Influence ReinforcementReinforcement

ImmediacyImmediacyConsistency (contingency)Consistency (contingency)Establishing operationsEstablishing operationsIndividual differences Individual differences Intensity of the stimulusIntensity of the stimulus

Schedules of ReinforcementSchedules of Reinforcement

Specifies which responses will be Specifies which responses will be followed by the reinforcerfollowed by the reinforcer

ContinuousContinuous reinforcement - Each reinforcement - Each response is followed by the reinforcerresponse is followed by the reinforcerIntermittentIntermittent reinforcement - Not every reinforcement - Not every response is followed by a reinforcerresponse is followed by a reinforcer

Fixed Ratio SchedulesFixed Ratio Schedules

Reinforcer after X number of responses Reinforcer after X number of responses - the number does not change- the number does not changeProduces high rate / post reinforcement Produces high rate / post reinforcement pausepauseExamples: piece rate payExamples: piece rate payclassroom usesclassroom uses

Variable Ratio SchedulesVariable Ratio Schedules

Reinforcer after X number of responses Reinforcer after X number of responses on the averageon the averageProduces high rate / no post-Produces high rate / no post-reinforcement pausereinforcement pauseExamples: work and classroom usesExamples: work and classroom uses

slot machine, phone solicitorsslot machine, phone solicitors

Fixed Interval SchedulesFixed Interval Schedules

Reinforcer for the first response after X Reinforcer for the first response after X amount of time - time interval does not amount of time - time interval does not changechangeProduces low rate of responding that Produces low rate of responding that increases at the end of the intervalincreases at the end of the intervalRarely used in behavior modificationRarely used in behavior modificationExamples: mail delivery every 2 hoursExamples: mail delivery every 2 hours hourly supervisor checks on a workerhourly supervisor checks on a worker

Variable Interval SchedulesVariable Interval Schedules

Reinforcer for the first response after X Reinforcer for the first response after X amount of time on the averageamount of time on the averageProduces low but steady rate of Produces low but steady rate of behaviorbehaviorRarely used in behavior modificationRarely used in behavior modificationExamples: unpredictable supervisor Examples: unpredictable supervisor checks, checking for phone or e-mail checks, checking for phone or e-mail messagesmessages

Concurrent Schedules of Concurrent Schedules of ReinforcementReinforcement

Schedules of reinforcement that exist at the Schedules of reinforcement that exist at the same time for two or more different same time for two or more different behaviorsbehaviorsConcurrent operantsConcurrent operantsFactors influencing choice of concurrent Factors influencing choice of concurrent operantsoperants- schedule of reinforcement- schedule of reinforcement- magnitude of reinforcement- magnitude of reinforcement- immediacy of reinforcement- immediacy of reinforcement- response effort- response effort