Chapter 7: Consequences By Amy Brown

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Chapter 7ConsequencesBy Amy Brown
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7-1 Be able to define and give examples of
positive reinforcement and what it means to
deliver a reinforcer contingently (pp.199 201)

• A positive reinforcer is anything that will
  increase the occurrence of the behavior that
  contingently produces it.
• Things (tangibles) money, a new book, clothes,
  pizza, etc.
• Activities going to a ball game, watching a
  movie, taking a bath, listening to music, taking
  a drive etc.
• People Going on a date, visiting friends,
  receiving praise from some one important to you.
• Contingent reinforcement means you only deliver
  the reinforcer after the performance of the
  desired behavior.
• If the event occurs whether you engage in the
  behavior or not, that event will not strengthen
  your desired behavior and therefore, will not
  function as a reinforcer.

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7-2. Be able to describe 3 ways to identify
potential reinforcers (pp. 200-203)

• Observe the consequences that maintain competing
  behaviors and rearrange those consequences to be
  contingent upon your desired behavior.
• Identify logical reinforcers. (i.e. reinforcers
  that are related to the desired behavior and that
  are similar to the rewards you are ultimately
  striving for. (Ex. Giving yourself an A, B, or C
  for studying habits).
• Use the Premack Principle to identify activities
  that are rewarding for you.

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7-3. Be able to explain the Premack Principle
(pp. 200-203)

• Premack Principle Any behaviors you are more
  likely to perform may be used to reinforce
  behavior you are less likely to perform.
• Reinforcers can also be behaviors you would
  engage in at a high frequency if you were able
  to.
• Example Jenna reads novels about 2 hours per
  day, but only reads her textbooks 1 hour. Reading
  novels may function as a reinforcer for the
  textbooks if a contingency is set up.

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7-4 Explain the tasks of a good mediator.
(pp.207)

• They should provide you with reinforcement when
  you are meeting your goal and withhold it when
  you are not.
• They should provide praise and encouragement when
  appropriate.
• They should avoid criticizing, nagging, or
  otherwise making negative statement

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7-5. List 3 ways you can support good mediating.
(pp. 207)

• Make sure your mediator knows what to do. (i.e.
  reinforce contingently)
• Reinforce good mediating with praise and
  gratitude.
• Remember your self change is ultimately your
  responsibility

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7-6. Know the points of why reinforcement should
be delivered immediately after the desired
behavior. (pp. 211)

• The more delayed the reinforcement the less
  powerful it is.
• With delays, a reinforcers effectiveness is
  probably due to talking to yourself (lots of VB
  to maintain the appropriate behavior)
• This is partly due to your reinforcing
  contingencies being in competition with other
  sources of immediate reinforcement for problem
  behaviors.
• Example Eating a piece of cake is immediately
  reinforcing. Losing weight and feeling good about
  your body happens much later.

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7-7. Know the points on how and why tokens are
used as reinforcers in self-modification plans.
(pp. 213-217)

• Tokens are conditioned reinforcers that can be
  traded in for the real reinforcer.
• Examples Money, points, poker chips, checkmarks.
• Tokens are used to increase the immediacy of
  reinforcement when your primary reinforcer cannot
  be promptly delivered.
• Tokens can be paired with a variety of
  reinforcers which makes it easier to keep
  reinforcement fresh and desirable.

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7-8. Describe two other methods of self-
reinforcement that can be immediately delivered
after performing the desired behavior. (pp.
218-219)

• Imagined or covert reinforcement is essentially
  visualizing a reinforcing activity after engaging
  in a desired behavior. (ex. A long walk down a
  warm sunny beach)
• It is best to visualize the reinforcing outcomes
  of your target behavior (ex. Looking fit in a
  string bikini) however any desirable activity
  will work.
• Covert reinforcement works best for people with
  vivid memories that incorporate all the sense
  modalities (i.e. smell, sound, feel , taste etc.)

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7-8.Describe two other methods of self-
reinforcement that can be immediately delivered
after performing the desired behavior. (pp.
218-219)

• Verbal self- reinforcement is a technical term
  for self praise and encouragement.
• Praise is a way of marking your successes and
  enhancing the reinforcing properties associated
  with meeting your goals.
• Self praise can be covert or overt and supports
  your behavior when external reinforcement is
  absent.

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7.9 Identify and explain at least 3 reasons why
punishment alone is not an effective consequence.
(pp. 223)

• Mild self-punishment can actually strengthen
  your problem behavior .
• Behaviors can become resistant to mild punishment
  when it is followed by positive reinforcement for
  engaging in the problem behavior. (Ex. Smoking)
• Punishment alone does not teach new behaviors.
• You are only punishing the undesirable behavior
  and not replacing it with another alternative or
  incompatible behavior.
• Even with punishment being contingently delivered
  the behavior is still being maintained by
  reinforcement.
• You will be less likely to carry out your plan.
  (i.e. less likely to punish yourself than reward
  yourself).

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7-10. Discuss two methods of self-reinforcement
that can be used to develop new behaviors. (pp.
227-228)

• Imagined or covert rehearsal is a method of
  practicing your desired behaviors when they are
  not formed enough to receive reinforcement in the
  real world.
• Examples Asking for a date saying No to
  someone making a speech.
• Use an imagined reinforcer that resembles natural
  outcomes if possible.

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7-10. Discuss two methods of self-reinforcement
that can be used to develop new behaviors. (pp.
227-228)

• Natural consequences may not reinforce
  approximations to the target behavior.
• Shaping is a method of systematically reinforcing
  small steps toward your ultimate goal.
• Example Riding a rollercoaster.

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7-11 When should self-reinforcement be included
in your self modification plan? When can it be
omitted? (pp.235)

• If the behavior is already being reinforced by
  natural consequences, dont use contrived
  self-reinforcement.
• If a behavior is new and not yet in contact with
  natural consequences use self-reinforcement
  promptly and contingently.
• Example hitting a tennis ball vs. improving
  study habits or increasing exercise.

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17-12 Explain why self-reinforcement should only
be a temporary strategy and what should replace
self-reinforcement to maintain your desired
behavior. (pp. 230)

• The ultimate goal is for your new behavior to be
  maintained by natural consequences in your daily
  life.
• If you are only motivated to engage in your new
  behavior because of contrived reinforcement you
  will eventually will tire of the whole process.
• If you choose a meaningful self- change plan,
  your new behavior will bring many rewarding
  consequences that should maintain your behavior
  for a long time.