Reducing Behavior through reinforcement schedules, Extinction, stimulus control.

1. Behavior Modification Decreasing Behavior, Extinction, Stimulus Control

2. Other schedules – to DECREASE behavior Odd – you can use reinforcement to decrease rates of behavior. This is because reinforcment schedules MAINTAIN behavior at a given rate – and as you change the schedule you get a clear effect on behavior. These are NOT punishment.

3. DRL Differential Reinforcement of low rates of behavior What is DIFFERENTIAL? DRL – limited responding Given number of responses is allowed over a time period in order to receive Sr. DRL – spaced responding Response does not occur for a given time, and then after that period has passed – the first response will be reinforced.

4. DR0 Reinforcer only occurs if a given response does not happen during a given time If the unwanted behavior happens during the interval, the interval resets. There is a logical problem with this Prefer the term differential reinforcement of OTHER responding (not zero). Change the duration to make it more successful – start small.

5. DRI Differential reinforcement of INCOMPATIBLE responding. The response being reinforced MUST prevent the undesirable response from occurring. They cannot be performed at the same time. Sitting and standing

6. DRA Differential reinforcement of Alternative responding. Similar to DRI, but the response just has to be different than the unwanted behavior – not necessarily incompatible.

7. Decreasing behavior - Extinction If a previously emitted response is not followed by a reinforcer then the person is less likely to do that behavior in that situation in the future. It does not work on the first trial It is a gradual decrease

8. Factors influencing extinction Control of the reinforcers You must be able to actually control the source of the reinforcers in order to remove access to them Other people can effect your extinction program It does not necessarily generalize to different environments Functional assessment – must ensure that the reinforcer being withheld is actually the one maintaining the behavior. Extinguish one behavior while reinforcing another – in the same context. Try to use the same reinforcer if possible Setting is important Minimize alternative SR Maximize the chance of the behavior modifier sticking with the program

9. More factors Make use of rules The schedule of SR effects the speed of extinction Extinction bursts Produces aggression in some cases – also produces frustration Spontaneous recovery.

10. The 3 term contingency Any behavior can be viewed in terms of a 3 term contingency Stimulus (discriminative) – response – stimulus (reinforcer) The controlling factor is the consequence But it does so in a given context The ability of this context to generalize is susceptible to new or existing consequences The ability of the behavior to generalize is susceptible to new or existing consequences

11. Stimulus control Not all behavior is maintained by the same consequences in different situations or reinforced at all. Behavior that is reinforced in the presence of one stimulus and not another comes under STIMULUS CONTROL. Where that stimulus indicates that a particular behavior will receive reinforcement Stimulus control is the degree of correlation between a stimulus and a particular response The stimulus gives information about the consequences

12. Types of controlling stimuli Sd – indicates that a reinforcer is available for a given behavior SΔ – indicates that no reinforcement is available for a given behavior A given stimulus can serve as both for different behaviors in the same context

13. Stimulus generalization A behavior becomes more likely in a new situation as a result of being reinforced in another one. Similarity is a big part of this But what about things that aren’t similar? Classes – concepts (must know what makes up a concept, and what doesn’t – discrimination and generalization)

14. Discrimination training To develop stimulus control Make the Sd distinct Minimize error Add verbal cues – make incorrect responses impossible Give many trials Use rules