Single Subject Research Chapter 2

Front 1

Positive reinforcement

Back 1

A consequence is delivered following the emission of a behavior, and the probability that the behavior will occur again under the same or similar antecedent circumstances is increased or strengthened. Positive refers an addition to the environment, not a quality such as good.

Front 2

Bribery

Back 2

The delivery of a potential reward before a behavior in the hope that the behavior will be performed. Key difference: stimulus is presented before the desired response, not as a consequence.

Front 3

Negative reinforcement

Back 3

An aversive antecedent stimulus is introduced, a behavior occurs, and the consequence is that the the aversive stimulus is removed; probability of the behavior occurring again under similar circumstances is increased. Negative refers to a removal of something from the environment, not a quality.

Front 4

Premack principle

Back 4

The use of a highly preferred activity as a reinforcing consequence for performing a lower preference activity (the target behavior); access to the high-preference activity must be controlled.

Front 5

Shaping

Back 5

Reinforcement of closer and closer approximations to a criterion level of performance of the target behavior; used to teach new behaviors.

Front 6

Reinforcer menus

Back 6

Individually determined lists of known or possible reinforcing consequences.

Front 7

Satiation

Back 7

Occurs when repeated exposure to a reinforcing consequence results in loss of the reinforcing quality (i.e., too much candy as a reinforcer results in little effort to obtain more candy).

Front 8

Primary reinforcers

Back 8

Reinforcers that require no previous exposure to possess reinforcing qualities; often thought of as life sustaining or fundamental to existence (e.g., food, warmth, water, shelter).

Front 9

Secondary reinforcers

Back 9

Reinforcers that have obtained their reinforcing quality through pairing with primary reinforcers or existing secondary reinforcers (e.g., praise, good grades); generally preferred for use over primary reinforcers.

Front 10

Generalized reinforcers

Back 10

Reinforcers (e.g., tokens, points, money) that are delivered in lieu of either of the previous two types of reinforcers but can be exchanged later for other reinforcers.

Front 11

Quality of reinforcers

Back 11

The type, number, and degree of reinforcement should be reasonably commensurate with the target behavior.

Front 12

Reinforcement schedules

Back 12

Reinforcement may be delivered through a variety of schedules; typically reinforcement should be moved from more frequent and predictable to less frequent and less predictable.

Front 13

Continuous schedule

Back 13

Every correct response of the target behavior is reinforced; used to establish new behaviors; not resistant to extinction (i.e., continuance of the behavior is unlikely in the absence of reinforcement).

Front 14

Fixed ratio and variable ratio

Back 14

Delivery of reinforcement contingent upon a specific number of correct responses or a variable number, respectively; variable ratio should result in more consistent or steadier responding.

Front 15

Fixed interval and variable interval

Back 15

Reinforcement is delivered for the first correct response following a specified or variable period of time; variable interval schedule should result in more consistent responding.

Front 16

Fixed response duration and variable response duration

Back 16

Reinforcement is delivered for continuous occurrence of a target behavior for a specified or variable length of time (duration); variable duration schedule should result in more consistent responding.

Front 17

Positive punishment

Back 17

Following a behavior, something is added to the individual's environment, and the probability of occurrence of the behavior under similar conditions (antecedents) is decreased or weakened; each person has an individual history that determines which consequences will possess a punishing quality; punishment is to be avoided due to its many side effects.

Front 18

Negative punishment

Back 18

Following a behavior, something is removed from the individual's environment, and the probability of occurrence of the behavior under similar conditions (antecedents) is decreased.

Front 19

Response cost

Back 19

Typically a fine is levied for occurrence of a target behavior (negative punishment); frequently used with token, point, or monetary systems.

Front 20

Extinction

Back 20

The withdrawal or withholding of reinforcement following a response; behavior may actually increase and intensify before it begins to decrease.

Front 21

Spontaneous recovery

Back 21

The unexpected occurrence of a target behavior that had been previously extinguished.

Front 22

Differential reinforcement

Back 22

Use of methods of reinforcement to decrease behavior; often preferred because these methods are less intrusive than punishment.

Front 23

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)

Back 23

The individual is reinforced for not emitting the target behavior for a period of time.

Front 24

Differential reinforcement of incompatible/alternative behavior (DRI/DRA)

Back 24

The individual is reinforced for an adaptive response that is intended to replace the maladaptive target behavior.

Front 25

Differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior (DRL)

Back 25

The individual may be reinforced for reducing the level of responding of a behavior to an appropriate level (e.g., number of time going to the bathroom), or the reinforcement of a target behavior until a zero level of responding is achieved (e.g., smoking cigarettes).

Front 26

Response interruption

Back 26

The individual is interrupted when the target behavior is emitted; typically, the individual is redirected toward a more adaptive response.

Front 27

Overcorrection

Back 27

Having an individual repeatedly perform a more adaptive behavior or performing an exaggerated adaptive response when the the target behavior occurs; overcorrection is intended to teach the individual what to do, not just what not to do; may involve physical contact and often requires one-on-one attention to implement.

Front 28

Simple restitution

Back 28

This is not true overcorrection; refers to restoring an environment to its original condition (e.g., mopping the floor after throwing a liquid on it).

Front 29

Restitutional overcorrection

Back 29

Restoring the environment to a better than previous condition.

Front 30

Positive practice overcorrection

Back 30

Repeatedly practicing an adaptive response.