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What Are Contingencies of Reinforcement?

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Summary

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Think of contingencies of reinforcement like this: it’s when something happens after you do something and makes you want to do it more or less in the future.

Frequently Asked Question

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What are Contingencies of Reinforcement?

Contingencies of reinforcement are events following a behavior that influence how likely it is for the behavior to happen again in the future.

How do Contingencies of Reinforcement work?

Contingencies of reinforcement work by offering positive rewards or negative consequences after a behavior, shaping the likelihood of that behavior recurring.

How can Goally help with Contingencies of Reinforcement?

Goally’s apps, like the token board economy and rewards app, can assist parents in providing consistent, effective consequences to shape their child’s behavior.

Can Contingencies of Reinforcement help with behavioral issues?

Yes, by providing appropriate consequences, contingencies of reinforcement can help manage and improve various behavioral issues.

Scientific Definition

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Contingencies of reinforcement are the relationships between a behavior and the events that immediately follow that behavior. These events, or consequences, can either increase or decrease the likelihood of the behavior recurring in the future.

Real World Example of Contingencies of Reinforcement

Meet Tommy, who’s learning how contingencies of reinforcement work:

  • Step 1: Tommy’s mom tells him if he finishes his chores, he can play video games for 30 minutes.
  • Step 2: Tommy completes his chores.
  • Step 3: Tommy gets to play his video games as promised.
  • Step 4: Tommy understands that finishing chores leads to game time, making him more likely to do chores in the future.

This story illustrates how contingencies of reinforcement can guide positive behavior.

How Do Contingencies of Reinforcement Work?

Understanding contingencies of reinforcement is easier with a few examples:

  • Positive Reward: When a child brushes their teeth before bed, they get an extra bedtime story. This makes them want to brush their teeth more.
  • Negative Consequence: If a child refuses to do their homework, they can’t watch their favorite TV show. This might make them more likely to do their homework in the future.

These events, or consequences, shape how often the behavior happens again.

 

Goally offers tools like the token board economy and rewards app, which align well with the concept of contingencies of reinforcement. These tools can assist parents in providing consistent, effective consequences that encourage positive behaviors in their children.