ANSWERS TO REINFORCEMENT EXERCISE

CLICK HERE to see the behavior quadrant.

NOTE: we are only making predictions here. For something to be actually labeled as reinforcing or punishing we would need to know if behaviors actually increase or decreased in the future rather then base in on predictions.

EXAMPLE ONE

Behavior – Me putting on my seat belt.

Consequence – Beeping sound was removed.

Assuming I did not like the beeping sound this would be an example of negative reinforcement. We could predict that the behavior of me putting on the seat belt would occur again at a high frequency in the future. The behavior increasing in frequency or being maintained makes it reinforcing. Next, the fact that something was removed from the environment (I.e., the beeping sound) makes it negative. Therefore this is negative reinforcement.

EXAMPLE TWO

Behavior – Me touching the hot stove

Consequence – A burning sensation is added to my fingers.

This would be an example of positive punishment. We could predict that the behavior of me touching the hot stove would decrease in frequency in the future, (or highly likely to never happen again). The behavior decreasing in frequency makes this punishment. Next, the fact that something was added to the environment (I.e., the burning sensation) makes it positive. Therefore this is positive punishment.

EXAMPLE THREE

Behavior – The bird stepping up onto my hand

Consequence – I give the bird a favourite food item.

This would be an example of positive reinforcement. We could predict that the behavior of the parrot stepping up onto my hand would be maintained or increase in frequency in the future. The behavior increasing in frequency or being maintained makes it reinforcing. Next the fact that something was added (I.e., the favourite food item) makes it positive. Therefore this is positive reinforcement.