Types of Reinforcement
A child earns a sticker for cleaning up toys.
Positive reinforcement.
This refers to anything that happens before a behavior and may influence it.
Antecedent
The therapist gives a sticker after a correct answer. Correct responding increases.
Is the sticker a reinforcer?
Yes, the sticker is a reinforcer.
The client repeatedly looks at bubbles across the room but does not approach toys on the table.
What should the RBT infer?
Bubbles may currently be highly motivating.
This term refers to a behavior that has been defined in clear, observable, and measurable terms so that anyone collecting data would identify it the same way.
Operational definition
A difficult task is removed after a student completes part of it.
This is any observable and measurable action performed by the client.
Behavior
The therapist gives candy after each trial. Behavior stays the same.
Is candy functioning as a reinforcer?
No. There's no evidence that it is serving as a reinforcer.
A client refuses all toys but immediately engages when the therapist begins singing.
What appears to be motivating the client?
Music/social interaction.
When the value of a reinforcer is temporarily increased and behavior related to obtaining that reinforcer is also increased, this has occurred.
Establishing Operation
Name two examples of reinforcers
Ex: praise, toys, edibles, attention, tablet time, etc.
This occurs when a behavior increases because something desirable is added.
A caregiver says a client loves fidget toys. During a session, a client ignores them.
What should the RBT do?
Reassess preference and motivation.
A client repeatedly walks over to the door every few minutes.
What should the RBT do?
Investigate potential motivation rather than assume noncompliance.
A client receives reinforcement for raising their hand instead of shouting out answers. The alternative behavior serves the same function as the problem behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
A reinforcer that is naturally available without learning.
Unconditioned reinforcer
This refers to the consequence that follows behavior and decreases the future likelihood of that behavior.
A client works hard for chips in the morning but refuses them for lunch.
What likely happened?
Satiation/Abolishing Operation
What assessment information does this provide?
The tablet is currently highly preferred.
The process by which a previously reinforced behavior decreases because reinforcement is no longer provided.
Extinction
This is the three-term-contigency in ABA
Antecedent Behavior Consequence (ABC)
A therapist assumes a toy is reinforcing because it worked yesterday.
What ABA principle is being overlooked?
Motivation changes and preferences should be assessed continuously
A client works for Legos for 20 minutes, then begins refusing them and seeks movement activities.
What happened?
A behavior change strategy in which successive approximations toward a target behavior are reinforced
Shaping