Show Notes:
Discussion
Reinforcement is always flowing and influencing our behaviors.
Why? All species are born to behave for outcomes!
Being able to identify potential reinforcers in varying contexts is a helpful skill for clear and effective teaching and learning.
Examples relative to humans and animals are discussed.
Reinforcement is necessary to maintain a behavior. The concept of “functional” or “real-life” reinforcers is discussed.
Look for the reinforcers your learner is likely to use their behavior to access!
Definitions
Reinforcement: Strengthening the future probability of a behavior through a consequence or outcome following the behavior.
Reinforcers: The specific event that follows a behavior that results in that behavior occurring again.
Cues: The antecedent (something before the behavior in time) that signals the availability of a reinforcer if the learner performs a certain behavior.
Criteria (Criteria for Reinforcement): This is the goal behavior that results in a reinforcer, usually used in talking about a teaching plan.
Social Reinforcer: Reinforcer that takes the form of interacting with other people. Examples include smiling, talking to each other, laughing, high fives, hugs, eye contact.
Conditioned Reinforcer: Reinforcer that has acquired its reinforcing properties by preceding a primary reinforcer.
Primary reinforcer: An event or stimulus that functions as a reinforcer without learning. Examples include food, water, warmth.
Functional reinforcer, natural reinforcer, “real-life” reinforcer: A reinforcing consequence following a behavior that falls within the realm of regular routines, activities, interactions, or expectations.
Contrived reinforcer: A more deliberate reinforcer one might deliver during the process of reinforcing/teaching a behavior.
Supplemental reading on the perspective of dogs:
Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into the World of Smell, by Alexandra Horowitz
Inside a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, by Alexandra Horowitz
Helpful Behavior Worksheets from Dr. Susan Friedman and BehaviorWorks: http://www.behaviorworks.org/htm/downloads_worksheets.html