DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMEN T By Marti Harris DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMEN T By: Marti Harris

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT Consists of reinforcing particular behaviors of a given class (or form, pattern or topography) and not another, or reinforce a response when it occurs under specific stimulus conditions but not others. Also placing those same behaviors on extinction and/or punishing them when they fail to match performance standards or when they occur under inappropriate stimulus conditions. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=JA 96 Fba-WHk

DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT Refers to the actual or anticipated consequences of a given behavior. Rewards and punishments can be social or nonsocial. Most effective when delivered or occurs immediately after the behavior.

IMITATION Involves observing what others do. Imitating a behavior depends on: characteristics of the person being observed the behavior the observed consequences of the behavior Examples?

LEARNED CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR Akers proposed that learning of criminal behavior takes place in a sequence of events: differential association, definitions, imitation, and social reinforcements Structural conditions affect crime by affecting a person’s differential association, definitions, models, and reinforcements. Learned criminal behavior occurs in those groups which comprise the individual’s major source of reinforcement.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. After reading both articles, do you agree that punitive strategies are not as effective as reinforcement? 2. If punishment is not as supported as reinforcement, why are we punished for breaking the law but not reinforced for upholding it?