Introduction to the Functions of Behavior and Reinforcement

Introduction to the Functions of Behavior and Reinforcement Created by: The Behavior Department of The League School of Greater Boston

Today’s Agenda ● Principles of Behavior Analysis ● Functions of behavior ● Reinforcement and Punishment

What is Applied Behavior Analysis? Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientific methodology which uses behavioral principles to change/modify socially significant behaviors. Behavior analysts conduct assessments, design interventions, train staff members, and supervise ongoing implementation and fading of interventions over time. Behavior analysts intervene to increase desired behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors, while demonstrating a reliable relationship between the intervention and improvements in behavior.

Functions Of Behavior. . . Why do we do what we do? ? ? • Attention • Escape/avoidance • Access (tangible) • Automatic

Attention Real Word Examples • Posting pictures on social media and receiving numerous “likes”. If attention is a reinforcer then you will continue to post pictures to receive “likes”. League School Examples • A student runs out of the classroom and gets the attention of five different educators. • The student is more likely to engage in the bolting behavior again. Home Examples You’re comforting the child's sibling who just bumped their head, you’re other child sees their sibling receiving attention and begins to cry and says they were hurt too.

Escape • Real World Examples You have a family party coming up, but you know your annoying cousin Ben will be there so on the day of the party you make an excuse not to go. • League School Examples A teacher announces it’s time for math, Sally’s least favorite class. Sally immediately raises her hand asks to go to the nurse because she is feeling sick. Home Example You ask your child to empty the dishwasher they say, “Oh mom/dad, I need to take Sparky for a walk he’s at the door. ”

Access (Tangibles) Real World Examples • While in the grocery store a toddler began to have a tantrum, during the tantrum the toddler is given a candy bar and then they are quiet for the rest of the trip. League School Examples • A student engages in swearing behaviors at the teacher and is then give a break with his electronic devices.

Automatic Real World Example • After being out in the 100 degree Fahrenheit weather, a person splashes cold water on themselves. League School Examples • Johnny engages in hand flapping when he sees his favorite teacher.

Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement • The addition of a stimulus following a behavior, and the future frequency of that behavior increases Negative Reinforcement • The removal of a stimulus following a behavior, and the of that behavior increases. future frequency

Example of Positive Reinforcement You go to work every day for two weeks, then you get a paycheck. In the future you are more likely to go to work. A student leaves the classroom without permission and talks to a preferred staff member in the hallway. In the future they are more likely to leave the classroom without permission. Student is doing work at their desk and they are given a token for their token board, in the future they are more likely to do work at their desk.

Examples of Negative Reinforcement You notice that the trash smells bad, you take it outside and the smell disappearsin the future you are more likely to take the trash out when it smells. A student starts their work without being asked, the teacher tells them they don't have to do their ‘classroom job’- in the future the student is more likely to start their work without being asked.

Punishment (Response Reduction) Positive Punishment • The addition of a stimulus following a behavior, which decreases the future frequency of the behavior. Negative Punishment • The removal of a stimulus following a behavior, which decreases the future frequency of the behavior.

Examples of Positive punishment You drive above the speed limit, a cop pulls you over and gives you a ticket- in the future you are less likely to drive above the speed limit. You are charged a $50 late payment fee on your phone bill for a lapsed payment, in the future you are less likely to let your payment lapse. You touch a hot stove and burn your hand, in the future you are less likely to touch a hot stove

Examples of Negative Punishment A student throws their ipad at another student so the ipad is placed in the classroom closet, in the future they are less likely to throw their ipad Your child has a tantrum and a friends birthday party, so you leave- in the future they are less likely to have a tantrum at a birthday party.

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