Behavioral Contrast
Definition
A change in the rate of a behavior in one situation produced by a change in reinforcement in a different situation. Reducing reinforcement for a behavior in one setting can make it increase in another where reinforcement is unchanged. It is a reason plans need to be consistent across settings and people.
In plain language
Changing what happens in one place changes the behavior somewhere else. Cutting off a behavior at school can make it go up at home.
Example
Attention for interrupting is withheld at school. The same week, interrupting at home rises even though nothing changed there.
Not behavioral contrast
A behavior rising in the same setting where reinforcement was withheld. That is an extinction burst.
See also
Written from
- reynolds-1961
Written from Reynolds (1961). No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.