When talking about the four types of consequences: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and ignoring, behaviorist emphasize that we cannot call a reaction to a student's behavior a "reinforcer" or "punisher" UNLESS the behavior actually changes.  An item or response is NOT a "punisher" UNLESS the behavior decreases.  An item or response is NOT a "reinforcer" UNLESS the behavior increases.

    For behaviorists, it is important to look at the EFFECT on the behavior.  If there is no change in the behavior, then you haven't reinforced or punished the student (even though you think that you did something wonderful or awful).  Even if a kid asks for something or tells you s/he likes it...It's not a reinforcer unless it increases the behavior.
 

    Behaviorists don't like the word "reward" for reinforcement because they believe that a "reward" or "penalty" is something that is given, but doesn't necessarily change the behavior.  Rewards don't become reinforcers, and penalties don't become punishers unless the behavior actually changes.
 

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