8.2 Reinforcements

Reinforcement

Adding a rewarding stimulus or removing an aversive stimulus to strengthen a behavior

Positive Reinforcement

ADD a REWARDING stimulus to strengthen behavior

Physical

Tangible reward - candy, hug, trip to park

Psychological

Intangible reward - verbal - praise or compliment

Formal

presentation of award by authority

Principles of Reinforcement

Description

External

when the presentation of reward is made from without source of reward.

Informal

Presentation or reward in context of daily life - may or may not be from authority figure

Primary Reinforcer

Reinforcer that attends to biological needs

Conditioned Reinforcer

Secondary needs

Immediate Gratification

think of immediate effect - take small gains in the present rather than bigger gains in the future

Delayed Reinforcer

Recognize that immediate feefback is not good enough, so you wait for the longterm reward. Shows maturity and social competence

Negative Reinforcement

REMOVING an AVERSIVE stimulus to strengthen behavior

Schedules of Reinforcement

Description

Continuous Reinforcement

Behavior is reinforced every time

Partial/Incomplete Reinforcement

Behavior is reinforced after a set or variable ratio or after certain period of times.

Fixed Ratio

Reinforced after a certain number of behaviors.

Variable Ratio

reinforced after random number of behaviors

Fixed Interval

Reinforced after set amount of time

Variable Interval

Reinforced after unpredictable time intervals