Supervision Conversation
Read this exchange between RBT trainee Sarah and her supervisor Fred.
Sarah: How do reinforcement procedures differ from types of reinforcers?
Fred: Positive and negative reinforcement describe whether a stimulus is added or removed following behavior, resulting in an increase in that behavior. Conditioned and unconditioned describe how stimuli came to function as reinforcers.
Sarah: So something does not count as a reinforcer just because we think it is pleasant?
Fred: Exactly. Its effect on future behavior matters. Unconditioned reinforcers do not require a learning history to have reinforcing effects. Conditioned reinforcers acquire their effects through association with other reinforcers. Tokens are one example, when they have acquired value through exchange for effective reinforcers.
Sarah: Does that mean food, praise, music or tokens will work for everyone?
Fred: No. Their effectiveness depends on the person and circumstances. We observe their effects rather than assuming they work. A generalized conditioned reinforcer has been associated with multiple other reinforcers, but that does not make it effective in every situation.
Sarah: What about edible, sensory, tangible, activity and social reinforcers?
Fred: Those describe attributes of the stimuli and can overlap. As an RBT, follow the reinforcement procedures in the plan, record the specified data and tell your supervisor what you observe. Ask for guidance before changing the arrangement.
Essential Video
In this 5-minute, 40-second video, Kate Rice Harrison, a BCBA at Brett DiNovi & Associates, shares practical tips on using conditioned reinforcement effectively:
Optional Reading
For further examples, read Classifying Reinforcers. This article is not required for the reflection.
Conversation Exercise
Use FRED to explore how conditioned reinforcers acquire their effects and why reinforcers differ between people.
Access FRED and guidance
Use the conversation icon at the bottom right, or open FRED. FRED guidance.
Reflection Exercise
Reflection and AI guidance
Revisit the reflection guidance from Module 1 if you need a reminder about personal reflection or acknowledging AI assistance.
If you submit early by mistake, email your correct reflection to connect@jigsawconnects.co.uk, including the module and lesson, so we can add it to your course record.
You need to be registered and logged in to take this quiz. Log in or Register