This series is a follow up on the article about Antecedent Strategies. Consequence strategies are at the other end of the Three-Term Contingency of behavior, antecedent – behavior – consequence. Antecedents are the stimuli that come before and evoke behavior, which is the response of an individual, and the consequence is the stimulus change that follows and affects the future outcome of behavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). While antecedent strategies were the proactive approach to behavior change, consequence strategies are the reactive approach. Consequence strategies look at the variables that maintain the behavior and making changes once the behavior occurs. In order to implement consequence strategies, one must understand the difference between reinforcement versus punishment and positive versus negative and how these terms interact. This article is a two-part series on Consequence Strategies and will focus on reinforcement.
What is a stimulus?
A stimulus is simply a single or combination of physical objects or events that affects behavior (Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Wallace, 2014). Stimuli might include internal events such as pain or illness and external objects or events such as the weather, the volume on the music, or the people in the room. Antecedent strategies and consequence strategies utilize stimuli to affect behavior.
What is reinforcement?
Reinforcement is a stimulus change, which follows a behavior and maintains or increases the future occurrence of that behavior (Cooper et al., 2007). Not all stimulus changes that occur after a behavior are considered reinforcement. If the stimulus change does not maintain or increase the behavior, it might simply be a reward. When the stimulus, contingent on the behavior, maintains or increases that behavior, it is a reinforcer. At Shepherds College, we use the term consequences to increase behavior when discussing and implementing reinforcement procedures, to help us remember their purpose.
What is POSITIVE in relation to consequences?
The first thoughts many have when hearing the word positive in relation to consequences is good, earning something, a reward, or reinforcement. However, positive in the consequence world, is simply the addition of stimuli after a behavior occurs. It is possible to have positive reinforcement and positive punishment.
What is NEGATIVE in relation to consequences?
Similarly, when hearing the word negative in relation to consequences the thought is punishment, bad, or taking something away. However, negative is the opposite of positive, simply the removal of stimuli after a behavior occurs. Just like there is positive reinforcement and punishment, there is negative reinforcement and negative punishment.
To find out how these strategies are implemented at Shepherds College, click here to read the entire article and get the support documents
What is a stimulus?
A stimulus is simply a single or combination of physical objects or events that affects behavior (Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Wallace, 2014). Stimuli might include internal events such as pain or illness and external objects or events such as the weather, the volume on the music, or the people in the room. Antecedent strategies and consequence strategies utilize stimuli to affect behavior.
What is reinforcement?
Reinforcement is a stimulus change, which follows a behavior and maintains or increases the future occurrence of that behavior (Cooper et al., 2007). Not all stimulus changes that occur after a behavior are considered reinforcement. If the stimulus change does not maintain or increase the behavior, it might simply be a reward. When the stimulus, contingent on the behavior, maintains or increases that behavior, it is a reinforcer. At Shepherds College, we use the term consequences to increase behavior when discussing and implementing reinforcement procedures, to help us remember their purpose.
What is POSITIVE in relation to consequences?
The first thoughts many have when hearing the word positive in relation to consequences is good, earning something, a reward, or reinforcement. However, positive in the consequence world, is simply the addition of stimuli after a behavior occurs. It is possible to have positive reinforcement and positive punishment.
What is NEGATIVE in relation to consequences?
Similarly, when hearing the word negative in relation to consequences the thought is punishment, bad, or taking something away. However, negative is the opposite of positive, simply the removal of stimuli after a behavior occurs. Just like there is positive reinforcement and punishment, there is negative reinforcement and negative punishment.
To find out how these strategies are implemented at Shepherds College, click here to read the entire article and get the support documents
 | Lauren Miles |
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