Brittany Zirnis

Good Behavior, Bad Behavior, and the

Principles of Behavior

Me

Mom

Dad

Riley

Character Introduction

Crying for Attention

response-contingent presentation of a reinforcer resulting in an increased frequency of that

response…

Before:Riley does

not have my attention

Behavior:Riley cries

for attention

After:Riley has my

attention

Reinforcement Contingency for Inappropriate Crying

Crying for Attention

Crying for Attention

response-contingent presentation of an aversive stimulus resulting in a decreased frequency of that

response…

Before:Riley does not

have my attention

Before:Riley does not hear sound of

competing cries

Behavior:Riley cries for

attention

After:Riley has my

attention

After:Riley hears

sound of competing

cries

Reinforcement

Punishment

Crying for Attention

Begging for Table Scraps

response-contingent presentation of a reinforcer resulting in an increased frequency of that

response…

Before:Riley does not receive table

scrap

Behavior:Riley begs

(i.e. puts head on my knee, gives sad puppy-dog

eyes, paws at me)

After:Riley receives

table scrap

Reinforcement Contingency for Inappropriate Begging

Begging for Table Scraps

Begging for Table Scraps

Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced response resulting in a decreased frequency of that

response…

Before:Riley does not receive table

scrap

Behavior:Riley begs

(i.e. puts head on my knee, gives sad puppy-dog

eyes, paws at me)

After:Riley does not receive table

scrap

Extinction Contingency for Inappropriate Begging

Begging for Table Scraps

Crying for Attention

response-contingent presentation of a reinforcer resulting in an increased frequency of that

response…

Before:Riley does not have

my mom’s attention

Behavior:Riley cries

for attention

After:Riley has my mom’s attention

Reinforcement Contingency for Inappropriate Crying

Crying for Attention

Crying for Attention

Punishment

SΔ:I am not present

SD:I am present

Behavior:Riley cries for

attentionAfter:

Riley does not hear sound of

competing cries

After:Riley hears

sound of competing criesBefore:

Riley does not hear sound of

competing cries

Recovery from Punishment

Crying for Attention

Begging for Treats

response-contingent presentation of a reinforcer resulting in an increased frequency of that

response…

Reinforcement

SΔ:My dad is not

present

SD:My dad is present

Behavior:Riley sits by treat cupboard, looks at

treats, & sighs loudly

After:Riley does not receive a treat

After:Riley receives a

treatBefore:

Riley does not receive a treat

Extinction

Begging for Treats