Technical definition, clinical ABA application, discriminative non-examples, and test-day traps for behavior analysis candidates.
Negative reinforcement increases the future frequency of a behavior by removing or terminating an aversive stimulus. Punishment decreases the future frequency of a behavior by presenting an aversive stimulus (positive punishment) or removing a preferred stimulus (negative punishment).
A student puts on noise-canceling headphones in a loud cafeteria, immediately escaping the noise. The future frequency of putting on headphones increases (negative reinforcement: escape).
A supervisor takes away a technician's preferred scheduling slot following a late arrival, which decreases future tardiness (negative punishment: response cost).
Never associate 'negative' with 'bad' or 'punishing'. In behavior analysis, 'negative' means stimulus subtraction, and 'reinforcement' ALWAYS increases behavior.
A client engages in screaming whenever difficult worksheets are presented. The technician immediately removes the worksheet, and screaming ceases for the session. Over subsequent weeks, the client's screaming during table tasks increases in frequency. What behavioral contingency is responsible for the increase in screaming?
Master this concept and hundreds more with our full question bank, Leitner flashcards, and 4-hour timed mock exam.