What if I told you that positive reinforcement involves more than just rewards?
Positive reinforcement is the addition of a stimulus, which increases the likelihood of a behavior happening again in the future. It is one small part of a larger concept – operant conditioning.
In my experience, the concepts of reinforcement and punishment are the hardest to understand in relation to behavior change. It is all about what happens directly after the behavior, which results in an increase or decrease in the behavior over time.
For most of us, the ADDITION of a paycheck each week results in an INCREASE in the likelihood that we will go to work every day.
The things that function as positive reinforcement are different for everyone.
For example, when I go for a long run, I typically will give myself a few jelly beans from my stash at the end of every mile. The ADDITION of jellybeans INCREASES my running behavior. However, my guess is that not everyone is willing to run 26.2 miles for a few handfuls of jelly beans.
Occasionally during a consultation, I will hear, “but there is nothing that X finds reinforcing.” I always encourage those people to look a little deeper. Frequently, the things that one person loves are not as reinforcing to someone else.
It is important to look beyond the basics and figure out what things your client/student/child desire the most.
Would you like a printable version of this 8.5×11 inch poster for your classroom or to post on the fridge? You can grab it for free in my resource library or via my TPT store.
Are you interested in additional behavior resources? Check out my Remind and Reset Behavior Cue Cards or First/Then Boards and Icons.
Also, make sure to follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss out on future Behavior Tip Tuesday posts!
Dana, I love your graphics! It’s hard to find a knowledgable BCBA with attention to detail and visually appealing graphics like these! I’m a BCBA in a school district in Texas and provide training to our special ed staff (mostly) at over 80 campuses. I’m hoping you’ll allow me to use this graphic in a presentation for staff and/or parents? I see your logo is on the graphic, but I would also provide a link to your website for others to visit. Great job!
Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate hearing it! I try really hard to use language that parents and staff can understand, without straying too far from the technical definitions. You absolutely can use the graphic in your presentation and I would love a link back to my website. Thanks again!
Dana, I would like to use several of your visuals for our pubic school website under Parent Resources. During this Corona 19 school closing, our parents can use as many supports as possible! Of course, I would use the visual with your logo on it for credit.
You have my permission to do so. I’d love to be able to provide this information to parents in need!