Question

Select a target behavior from your list of potential target behaviors. State your target behavior in a measurable way (operationally define it). Now focus on both overt and covert consequences that reliably follow your target behavior. List ten consequences and note whether they are positive reinforcers, negative reinforcers, or punishers.

Answer 1

Target behavior is the topographical or functional aspect of behavior we need to change. Let’s answer the first part of this question.

I constantly watch videos on my mobile phone during bed time. One of my recent readings on research papers gives me information that this behavior is not good for eye and can affect vision on long run. I have decided to select this target behavior for change. My method to overcome this behavior is to set an alarm on mobile phone with subject “switch off mobile” at 11pm. Operationally I can define it as switching off mobile phone before bed time following the alarm set at 11pm.

Now let’s answer the second part of this question which is the overt and covert consequence. Overt consequence is the one which we can see and covert consequence is the one which is hidden. Overt consequence here is the protection of my eye from mobile blue light during bed time. Covert consequence is that my mobile phone will remain switched off for nearly 6-8 hours and I will not be reachable for anyone on cell phone during this time period.

Let’s answer the final part of this question. Here I shall first give a brief note on reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement is the addition of a pleasant situation to improve the quality of a target behavior. Negative reinforcement is the taking away of an unpleasant situation to improve the quality of a target behavior. Positive punishment is the addition of an unpleasant situation and negative punishment is the deletion of a pleasant situation to enhance quality of a target behavior

List of 10 consequences are as follows

With regards to cleaning one’s room (son/daughter)

1. Offering to play videogame on a weekly basis if room is cleaned everyday in a week – positive reinforcer
2. Offering favorite fast food once in a week – positive reinforcer
3. Stop nagging if room is kept clean – negative reinforcer
4. Reduce number of studying hours in home by 30 minutes if kept clean – negative reinforcer
5. Do exercise for 20 minutes if room is not kept clean – positive punishment

With regards to an employee who comes late to office everyday

6. Offer extra money for coming on time as shift allowance – positive reinforcer
7. Offer free meal if punctual – positive reinforcer
8. Verbal abuse of employee by his manager for coming late – negative reinforcer
9. Suspending employee for a week for coming late – positive punishment
10. Cutting down employee discount for goods purchase – negative punishment