Behavioral Theory

Part 2

Reinforcers and Punishers

O A reinforcer INCREASES behavior

O A punisher DECREASES behavior

Types of ReinforcersO Positive reinforcers:

O Desired behavior a reward= causes an increase in future performance of desired behavior

O Negative reinforcersO Negative stimulus desired

behavior removal of stimulus= increase in future performance of desired behavior

ExtinctionO The weakening and eventual

elimination of a learned behavior as reinforcement is withdrawn.

O Rarely a smooth processO Typically a burst, then gradual

decreaseO Locked door example

Let’s Practice Positive and Negative Reinforcement

O The beeping in your car to buckle your seat belt

O Giving students praise after they clear their desks and wait quietly for directions

O Chance to get out of time-out for good behavior

ReinforcementO The Premack Principle is when a

preferred activity is a reinforcer for a less-preferred activityO Often referred to as “Grandma’s

Rule”O “If you eat your broccoli then you

can have ice cream”O If-----Then

Reinforcers for the Classroom

O PraiseO AttentionO Grades and recognitionO Call homeO Home-based reinforcementO PrivilegesO Activity reinforcers (earn free time or recess)O Tangible reinforcers (tickets, points, or stickers)O FoodO Best way to determine possible reinforcers for your

students is to observe what students choose to do in their free time

Schedules of Reinforcement

O Ratio refers to number of times behavior occurs

O Interval refers to period of time

Schedules of Reinforcement

O Fixed Ratio- a reinforcer is given after a fixed number of behaviors (ex- “As soon as you finish 10 problems, you can go outside”)

O Variable Ratio- the number of behaviors required for reinforcement is unpredictable, but it is certain that the behaviors will be reinforced. Produce high and stable rates of behavior; hard to extinct behavior (ex- randomly checking student work).

O Fixed Interval- Reinforcement is available only at certain periodic times (ex- final exam)

O Variable Interval- Reinforcement is available at some times but not at others, and we have no idea when a behavior will be reinforced (ex- Obey traffic laws because you know the police randomly check compliance).

Schedules of Reinforcement

O Show what you know!O Slot machine that pay off after an

indeterminate number of usesO Pay checkO Putting money in a coke machineO Pop quizO Raising hand to give an answer

OWhat are some “Practical Reinforcers” for teachers to use in the classroom?

PunishmentO Punishment: A punisher should

DECREASE an undesirable behavior★ If an apparently unpleasant

consequence does not reduce the frequency of the behavior then it is not necessarily a punisher.O For example, some students like to be

sent out to the hall or to the principal’s office because it releases them from the classroom; in this cases this would not be a punisher

PunishmentO Examples of punishers

O Scolding (Embarrassment) O Taking away privilegesO Time-out or “social isolation”: removing

a student from a situation who is misbehavingO More effective for younger childrenO Frequently used in special education

classesO The length of time-out should be the

child’s age (ex- a 6 year old should be in time-out for 6 minutes)

O Place them in an uninteresting roomO Ensure that the student remain in

the time-out situation

O What can Behavioral theories can you identify in this video?

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA96Fba-WHk