Reinforcement – Do you recognise it, when you see it? (Episode 2)

This episode is part one, of a three part series with Dr Kat Gregory (from Creative Animal solutions),and myself Ryan Cartlidge, from Animal Training Academy.The topics for this series will focus on specific consequences of behavior. In part one we are discussing the topic of Reinforcement. Part two will be a discussion on Punishment. And in part three we are going to invite a special guest onto the show and discuss Negative Reinforcement.

We realize that Reinforcement is a really big topic. However, Dr Kat and I decided to tackle it anyway. There were many different areas that we could have discussed. We could have talked all day. In the end though we had to chose a few. Here’s what we ended up covering.

• Definition of reinforcement.
• Primary and secondary reinforcers.
• Proper application of reinforcement.
• Timing.
• Shaping behaviour.
• Training chains.
• Pre-mack.
• The Matching law.

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Reinforcement definition.

• Reinforcement is something that immediately follows behavior and serves to maintain and/or increase the frequency/strength of that behaviour in the future.
• There are two types; Negative and positive.
  • Positive refers to something being added to the environment.
  • Negative refers to something being removed.
• Primary reinforcers are stimuli that are generally universal to all animals, such as’
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Warmth
  • Reproduction opportunities
  • Water
  • Play
• Secondary reinforcers are previously neutral stimuli that have been continuously paired with a primary reinforcer (or other already established reinforcer) and take on the value of that reinforcer.
  • Examples are clickers with our animals, or money with people.

Reinforcement – Extra learning opportunities.

Below are some links to videos from Animal Training Academy that were mentioned in the podcast.

To see the video describing when to use a clicker click HERE.

To see the video about splitting not lumping, click HERE.

To see the video about training a chain click HERE.