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Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer

Description of the Strategy

A generalized conditioned reinforcer is a stimulus that exerts a reinforcing effect because it has been associated with reinforcing stimuli. In contrast with unconditioned reinforcement, in which the stimulus is in itself reinforcing, conditioned reinforcers are stimuli that have come to have value to an individual as a result of learning. Furthermore, generalized conditioned reinforcers are associated with many other reinforcers; their effectiveness does not depend upon a specific reinforcer, as the stimulus represents different reinforcers. There are thus three conditions that define generalized conditioned reinforcers: (1) the event must increase the likelihood that a behavior will occur again (reinforcement), (2) the event must not be reinforcing in and of itself, but it must provide reinforcement through learning (conditioning), and (3) the event must be associated with two or more reinforcing events (generalization).

Common types of generalized conditioned reinforcers are money and tokens. Token economy systems used in behavior modification programs thus employ generalized conditioned reinforcers, as receiving tokens as a consequence of performing a particular action is not initially reinforcing, but the tokens may be exchanged for an array of reinforcing objects or activities, such as candy or TV privileges. In addition, sticker charts commonly used in interventions with children also involve generalized conditioned reinforcers if accumulating a certain number of stickers is associated with several different kinds of reinforcers.

It is impractical to define a primary reinforcer for every behavior exhibited by an individual, and therefore generalized conditioned reinforcers are a highly effective and practical behavior modification procedure. Generalized reinforcers allow the use of less frequent reinforcement schedules, so that children are only reinforced when they have engaged in a behavior enough times to earn a desired object or activity. In addition, as generalized conditioned reinforcers are associated with more than one particular desired object or activity, they decrease the likelihood that an object or activity loses its reinforcing properties. For example, after repeated trials, an individual child may tire of watching one particular video if it is provided as the only reinforcer for a particular behavior. If the child is permitted to choose between a video and other desired activities, he or she is likely to find at least one of the activities reinforcing at the time.

Research Basis

Generalized conditioned reinforcers have been studied within the context of laboratory settings. In addition, token economies, sticker charts, and other specific types of generalized conditioned reinforcers have been included in studies of treatments of individuals with developmental disabilities, externalizing and internalizing disorders, and in inpatient settings. The majority of treatments involving the use of token economies are employed in intensive treatment settings, such as residential programs. While some of these programs have established effectiveness through randomized trials, they do not usually include systematic evaluations of generalized conditioned reinforcers and their effectiveness compared to other types of reinforcers. Rather, generalized conditioned reinforcers are usually evaluated as part of an overall treatment package.

Older studies have compared the use of generalized conditioned reinforcers to other types of reinforcers. Studies indicate that stimuli that are generalized are more effective than nongeneralized stimuli. In addition, generalized conditioned reinforcers have greater resistance to extinction. These findings indicate that providing a choice of reinforcers leads to faster learning and lower rates of relapse than reinforcing every instance of a behavior or always providing the same reinforcer.

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