Concrete and Social Reinforcers

1. Concrete and Social Reinforcers By: Katie Kannenberg

2. A Reinforcer is: • Any consequence that increases the frequency of a particular behavior • Ex. Potty training • The act of following a particular response with a reinforcer is called reinforcement. • Ex. Sucker

3. Positive Reinforcement • Whenever a particular stimulus is presented after a behavior, and the behavior increases as a result, positive reinforcement has occurred. (Operant Conditioning) • Ex. Some students will make a response to get teachers praise, but others may behave to get themselves a scolding.

4. Be careful what type of attention you give

5. Concrete Reinforcers • A concrete reinforcer is an actual physical object. • Ex. Toys, Snacks • These are especially effective with young children.

6. Social Reinforcers • A gesture or sign that one person gives another regarding a recently performed response • Ex. Smile, Hugs, Praise, group work with friends • As teachers, we can use simple social gestures • Ex. Nods of Approval

7. Activity Reinforcers • An opportunity to engage in a favorite activity • Premack principle • Ex. 3rd graders • Ex. High School students • Ex. At-Risk Students

8. Negative Reinforcement • Brings about the increase of a behavior through the removal of a stimulus. • Teachers should try not to use negative reinforcement. • The term negative simply refers to the removal of a stimulus. • Ex. A child who acts up in class is removed from the classroom which reinforced his behavior because it enabled him to get out of class.

9. Punishment • A consequence that decreases the frequency of the response it follows. • All punishment falls into two different categories: Presentation, or Removal

10. Presentation Punishment • Involves presenting a new stimulus, presumably something that a student finds unpleasant and doesn’t want. • Ex. Spanking, scolding, teacher scowls

11. Removal Punishment • Involves removing a previously existing stimulus, presumably one that a student finds desirable and does not want to lose. • Ex. Loss of privileges, a fine, or grounding

12. Remember that: • Positive reinforcement – Increases the response when a new stimulus is presented. • Negative reinforcement – Increases the response when a previously existing stimulus is removed. • Presentation punishment – Response decreases when a new stimulus is presented. • Removal punishment – Response decreases when a previously existing stimulus is removed.

13. Sources • Ormrod, J. E. (2000). Educational Psychology: Developing Learners (3rd ed.). Ohio: Merrill • http://www.coursework.info/i/632.html