REINFORCEMENTSREINFORCEMENTS

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

What IS reinforcement?What IS reinforcement? A process for A process for

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

Let’s always Let’s always remember:remember:

Consequences which give Consequences which give RewardsRewards increase a behavior. increase a behavior. (Reinforcement)(Reinforcement)

Consequences which give Consequences which give PunishmentsPunishments decrease a behavior. decrease a behavior.

Consequences which give neither Consequences which give neither Rewards nor Punishments Rewards nor Punishments extinguish a behavior. extinguish a behavior.

Thinking more about this:Thinking more about this: What is a reward? Anything that What is a reward? Anything that

increases the behavior. increases the behavior. What is a punisher? Anything that What is a punisher? Anything that

decreases the behaviordecreases the behavior Can’t that get turned upside down? Can’t that get turned upside down?

What behavior are we aiming for, after What behavior are we aiming for, after all? Less Hulk or more Dr. Banner?all? Less Hulk or more Dr. Banner?

What’s going on, isn’t this science?What’s going on, isn’t this science?

What's going on is this: Reinforcement What's going on is this: Reinforcement theory is a “functional” theory. That means theory is a “functional” theory. That means all of its components are defined by their all of its components are defined by their function (how they work) rather than by function (how they work) rather than by

their structure (how they look).their structure (how they look). See these See these men getting reinforced? men getting reinforced?

Is whipping galley slaves reinforcement? Is whipping galley slaves reinforcement? Doesn’t seem right somehow! Doesn’t seem right somehow!

Is it positive punishment?Is it positive punishment? Nope. Positive Nope. Positive punishment occurs when a negative consequence punishment occurs when a negative consequence is applied in response to an undesired behavior. is applied in response to an undesired behavior. Over time, positive punishment can decrease the Over time, positive punishment can decrease the likelihood that the behavior will continue.likelihood that the behavior will continue.

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

Maybe it’s Maybe it’s NEGATIVE NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENTREINFORCEMENT??

Pretty good guess! Pretty good guess! Negative Negative ReinforcementReinforcement strengthens a behavior strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavioravoided as a consequence of the behavior..

BUT: We could argue that slaves are whipped BUT: We could argue that slaves are whipped continuously, so it is continuously, so it is positive reinforcement, positive reinforcement, in in other words, the adding of a stimulus to increase other words, the adding of a stimulus to increase a certain behavior or response.a certain behavior or response.So confusingly enough we now have So confusingly enough we now have AVERSIVE AVERSIVE REINFORCEMENT! REINFORCEMENT! But don’t worry about that! But don’t worry about that!

Because we also have (ta-Because we also have (ta-dahh!)dahh!)

DIFFERENTIAL DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT!REINFORCEMENT!

Don’t look now,Don’t look now,

but it’s the best but it’s the best wayway

to reinforce stuffto reinforce stuff

even though youeven though you

want to want to decreasedecrease

a behavior!!a behavior!!

What is a PRIMARY reinforcer?What is a PRIMARY reinforcer? Any reinforcement that tends to Any reinforcement that tends to

lose effectiveness temporarily lose effectiveness temporarily through SATIATION is through SATIATION is primary!primary! (Including whipping galley slaves all (Including whipping galley slaves all the time!)the time!)

What is a What is a conditional conditional reinforcer?reinforcer?

Any reinforcer that loses its Any reinforcer that loses its effectiveness permanently effectiveness permanently through unpaired presentations!through unpaired presentations!

Why should we individualize reinforcers?Why should we individualize reinforcers?

Because one subject’s hell is Because one subject’s hell is another subject’s heaven! another subject’s heaven!

punishment reward

What is the effect of contingencyWhat is the effect of contingency??

The Skinnerian The Skinnerian principle that principle that effectiveness effectiveness occurs only when occurs only when reinforcement reinforcement occurs for the occurs for the desired behavior! desired behavior! Never reinforce an Never reinforce an unwanted behavior!unwanted behavior!

What is the EFFECT OF IMMEDIACY?What is the EFFECT OF IMMEDIACY?

The more immediate the reward or The more immediate the reward or punishment is in the wake of the punishment is in the wake of the target behavior the more effective it target behavior the more effective it will be!will be!

What is the effect of deprivation?What is the effect of deprivation?

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

What is the EFFECT OF SIZE?What is the EFFECT OF SIZE?

The more The more worthwhile worthwhile the the Reinforcer, Reinforcer, the more the more powerful! powerful! (Duh!) (Duh!)

What about Differential What about Differential Reinforcement?Reinforcement?

Differential Differential reinforcement means reinforcement means that you reinforce that you reinforce one behavior while one behavior while extinguishing others! extinguishing others!

It’s like sandwiching It’s like sandwiching in Kenpo Karate, in Kenpo Karate, really! ,really! ,

Let’s say Suzy is unhappy Let’s say Suzy is unhappy being physically unfit!being physically unfit!

To enhance To enhance fitness, fitness, Differential Differential ReinforcemeReinforcement requires:nt requires:

1.Two distinct 1.Two distinct behaviorsbehaviors

2. Reinforcement 2. Reinforcement to promote to promote exerciseexercise

3. Punishment to 3. Punishment to curtail binge curtail binge eating! (Or eating! (Or Extinction!)Extinction!)

So we must address two or So we must address two or more physically more physically distinctdistinct

behaviors! behaviors! EXTINGUISH BINGINGEXTINGUISH BINGING

REINFORCE EXERCISEREINFORCE EXERCISE

And only three weeks And only three weeks later:later:

COMPLETE SUCCESS! COMPLETE SUCCESS! Another victory for ABA!!!Another victory for ABA!!!

DRO=OTHER behaviorsDRO=OTHER behaviors

DRI=INCOMPATIBLE DRI=INCOMPATIBLE behaviorsbehaviors

DRA=ALTERNATIVE DRA=ALTERNATIVE behaviorsbehaviors

DRL=Low rates of behavior DRL=Low rates of behavior

So how’s that So how’s that work?work?

DRO mean rewarding behaviors OTHER than DRO mean rewarding behaviors OTHER than the target behavior.the target behavior.

DRI means reinforcing an incompatible behavior DRI means reinforcing an incompatible behavior like smiling rather than scowling, get it? like smiling rather than scowling, get it?

DRA means rewarding behaviors not DRA means rewarding behaviors not incompatible with, but preferable to the target incompatible with, but preferable to the target behavior. (Positive body posture as opposed to behavior. (Positive body posture as opposed to a smile, or nodding affirmatively!)a smile, or nodding affirmatively!)

DRL means rewarding the subject for emitting DRL means rewarding the subject for emitting fewer and fewer examples of targeted fewer and fewer examples of targeted behavior!behavior!