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Visual Study Guide
The four contingencies every RBT, BCaBA, and BCBA student needs to know, explained with clear visuals, everyday examples, and quick self-checks.
Every consequence answers two questions: was something added or removed? And did the behavior go up or down? Those two answers place it in one of four boxes.
| Stimulus added | Stimulus removed | |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior increases | Positive Reinforcement | Negative Reinforcement |
| Behavior decreases | Positive Punishment | Negative Punishment |
Positive means a stimulus is added (+). Negative means a stimulus is removed (−). Neither word says whether the experience was pleasant.
You only know it was reinforcement if the behavior increases, and punishment if it decreases. Intentions do not count, results do.
Consequences work best when they follow the behavior immediately. The longer the delay, the weaker the effect.
Stimulus added · Behavior increases
A stimulus is added right after a behavior, and that behavior happens more often in the future.
Example
A child says "juice please" and is given juice. The child asks for juice more often.
Add something, behavior goes up.
Stimulus removed · Behavior increases
A stimulus is removed right after a behavior, and that behavior happens more often in the future.
Example
You buckle your seatbelt and the beeping stops. You buckle up faster next time.
Take something away, behavior goes up.
Stimulus added · Behavior decreases
A stimulus is added right after a behavior, and that behavior happens less often in the future.
Example
A teen touches a hot stove and feels pain. The teen stops touching the stove.
Add something, behavior goes down.
Stimulus removed · Behavior decreases
A stimulus is removed right after a behavior, and that behavior happens less often in the future.
Example
A student throws a toy and loses 5 minutes of tablet time. Toy throwing happens less often.
Take something away, behavior goes down.
Thinking negative reinforcement is the same as punishment.
Negative reinforcement always increases behavior. Punishment always decreases it.
Calling something a reinforcer because the person "should" like it.
A sticker is only a reinforcer if it makes the behavior happen more. Check the data.
Labeling a consequence before looking at what happens next.
Ask two questions in order: Was something added or removed? Did the behavior go up or down?
Read each scenario, decide which contingency it is, then tap to reveal the answer.
Negative Reinforcement
Work (a demand) is removed, and the behavior of finishing increases.
Positive Punishment
A ticket (fine) is added, and speeding decreases.
Positive Reinforcement
Praise is added, and cleaning up increases.
Negative Punishment
Phone access is removed, and coming home late decreases.
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