Reinforcement

Reinforcement is defined as a consequence that increases the likelihood that a behavior will occur in the future. Understanding the use of reinforcement to teach new behaviors and strengthen existing behaviors is critical to the understanding of interactions between individuals. What may be a reinforcer at one time may not be the next time it is presented. A change in the power of a reinforcer is often based on many factors, such as satiation, deprivation, mood, age, or social interaction. Whether or not an event in one's environment is a reinforcer is determined by the effect it has on the behavior that precedes it, not on the intent of the person delivering it. An item is a reinforcer only if it increases the likelihood that ...