#Negative reinforcement examples aspirin tv#

As another example, think of this: at the end of a week at work, you receive a paycheck. In every case, we’re adding to their environment immediately following a behavior or response, with the goal of increasing the likelihood that they will continue to engage in that behavior or response in the future. Respectively, we are either adding something to the environment following a behavior or response, or taking something away following a behavior or response.įor example: praise, food, money, a hug, or high fives are all types of positive reinforcement, as they are all examples of things we are giving a person. In ABA lingo, when the word ‘positive’ is paired with reinforcement, you can think of it as more like an addition sign whereas the word ‘negative’ should be seen as a minus sign. Typically, when you think of something as positive you think “good” and something negative is “bad,” right? Well, in this case, you would be wrong. So, if reinforcement always increases the likelihood that the targeted behavior will occur in the future, where does ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ come into play? To really understand the difference between positive and negative reinforcement–and use the terms correctly–we must first understand what we mean by positive and negative. For Johnny, verbal praise would function as a reinforcer for raising his hand because it increased the likelihood of this response continuing in the future. For example, if every time Johnny raises his hand in class and the teacher says, “Awesome job, Johnny,” because Johnny loves to be praised in front of the entire class, he now raises his hand each and every time he wants to talk to the teacher. Before we start thinking positive and negative, we need to define ‘reinforcement.’ Reinforcement is a process by which an item or event following a chosen target behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again in the future. That is, until they define negative reinforcement… This definition is almost always wrong and all that excitement you were feeling only seconds ago is instantly shattered and replaced with sadness, anger, and overall fury–as how hard could it really be to pick up an ABA book and read the definition of negative reinforcement? Well, let’s see!įirst, let’s backup a second.

#Negative reinforcement examples aspirin tv#

Picture this: you are watching your favorite tv sitcom or your favorite 80’s movie, and all of a sudden you hear the words “positive reinforcement” used to describe a way of rewarding behavior! And, if you’re anything like me, you’re super excited because you love ABA so much, that when these terms are used in mainstream media it’s so reinforcing! The definition that your favorite fictional character gives of positive reinforcement is so spot on that you are on cloud nine.