Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement (PR) occurs when a
desirable event of stimulus is presented as a
consequence of a behavior and the behavior
What is the Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement works by presenting a motivating
item so then the person is motivated to finish the task
assigned to them. The "positive" in positive reinforcement is
when something that was not present becomes present after
engaging in a behavior.
Examples:
Johnny comes running into his mom after being outside in
the hot sun playing with his friends. He exclaims "I'm really
thirsty! Can I have some coke please Mom?" His mom says
"Of course you can!" and gets a bottle of coke and pours him
a glass. He gulps it down and decides that the next time he
wants some coke he'll make sure to ask again.
Note:
we must reinforce the behavior, and not the person!
Questions&Answers
1. Will the child overly dependent on
positive reinforcement?
Yes. It is important to make certain that the
child is not too dependent on the
reinforcement provided, because the
ultimate goal is for them to be reinforced by
the natural environment. You can avoid this
by using a variety of reinforcers, involving
significant others, and encouraging self-
reliance. You can also fade reinforcers
slowly and observe. (More info: http://
animatebehavior.com/autism/how-to-
reinforce-desired-behavior-in-children-with-
autism-part-2/)
2. Is PR a bribery?
Positive reinforcement is not bribery.
Bribery is when you give the child
something BEFORE the desirable behavior
occurs whereas with positive reinforcement,
the reinforcer comes after the child has
engaged in the appropriate behavior.
Different Types of Positive Reinforcers
Natural reinforcers: occur directly as a result
of the behavior.
Token reinforcers: points or tokens that are
awarded for performing certain actions. These
tokens can then be exchanged for something.
Social reinforcers: such as "good job!", "high
five!"
Tangible reinforcers: actual, physical rewards
such as candy, treats, toys, money, etc. These
types of rewards can be powerfully motivating,
but they should be used sparingly and with
caution.