Negative reinforcement can be used to shape behavior. As with positive reinforcement, the reinforcer must be contingent upon the behavior: one must cease "prodding" when the response is correct. Unfortunately, because the prodding, in whatever form results in a change in behavior, the behavior of the person doing the prodding may be positively reinforced, so that, as with punishing, the tendency to lay on with the aversives increases.
Training Theory
Keep it Interesting
By Gale Pryor on 06/01/2004Sure, a collie likes a greasy piece of hot dog as much as the next dog, but it's the game of how to get you to give him that piece of hot dog that he really enjoys. And if the bit of hot dog he expects turns out to be a surprise-a crunchy chunk of dried liver or a game of tug, or even the cue to perform his favorite trick of spinning-wow, the game just got much more interesting. And keeping a collie's interest is the key to training one.
Click... and Wait?
By Karen Pryor on 03/01/2004But what if the food-or other reinforcer that is earned, expected, and anticipated-doesn't come right away? What happens when you click for a behavior, touching a target, say, and then delay the presentation of food? What does the animal do? Does it matter? Is there a length of delay that is "too long"?
When B.F. Skinner Discovered Shaping
By Gail Peterson on 01/01/2004Note from Karen Pryor: This paper reveals a fascinating piece of scientific detective work by Gail Peterson, Ph.D., a professor of behavior analysis at the University of Minnesota. During World War II, Skinner and some of his graduate students conducted classified research on pigeon-controlled guidance systems, at a secret laboratory in Minneapolis. One day, while waiting for government approval on their next steps, they decided to pass the time by trying to train a pigeon to "bowl."
Practicing the Flute Backwards
By KPCT on 02/01/2003I've recently begun using the technique of backchaining in my daily flute practice routine. What I have found is an efficient, stress-free, and satisfying way to learn music, which also makes it more enjoyable to perform, as many of the elements that cause performance anxiety are no longer present when a piece is prepared this way.
