Ollie the cat had poor manners and would jump on the table during mealtimes to access food. This behavior was reinforced through a direct-acting contingency where getting food increased the likelihood of jumping on the table. The goal of the intervention was to train Ollie to sit on the floor during meals without jumping on the table. A squirt bottle was used as an aversive stimulus in a punishment contingency - Ollie received a squirt when jumping on the table, decreasing that behavior. Through pairing the squirt with the command "No!" a new punishment contingency was formed. The intervention resulted in Ollie sitting on the floor during meals to avoid receiving the squirt, demonstrating an avoidance contingency.
3. Reinforcement Contingency
This devious behavior acted as a
reinforcement contingency (the response-
contingent presentation of a reinforcer
resulting in an increased frequency of that
response)
Before Behavior After
No access
to food
Jumps on
table
Access to
food
4. Direct-acting Contingency
This contingency
maintaining Ollie’s
unacceptable table
manners is an
example of a direct-
acting contingency
(a contingency in
which the outcome
of the response
reinforces or punishes
that response)
5. Goal of the Intervention
The terminal behavior
(behavior not in the
repertoire or not
occurring at the
desired rate) that we
were aiming for was
to be able to eat
dinner and have food
on the table without
Ollie jumping on the
table
6. Aversive Condition
Aversive Condition (negative reinforcer;
any stimulus, event, or condition whose
termination immediately following a
response increases the frequency of that
response)
Squirt bottle
7. Punishment Contingency
Punishment Contingency (positive
punishment; response-contingent
presentation of an aversive condition
resulting in a decreased frequency of that
response)
Before Behavior After
Receives no
squirt of
aversive water
Jumps on
table
Receives squirt
of aversive water
9. Pairing Procedure
Pairing Procedure (pairing of a neutral
stimulus with a reinforcer or aversive
condition)
“No!” Squirt of water
No “No!” No squirt of water
11. Avoidance Contingency
Avoidance Contingency (response-
contingent prevention of an aversive
condition resulting in an increased
frequency of that response)
Before Behavior After
Will receive
squirt of
water soon
Will not
receive squirt
of water soon
Jumps down
from table
12. SD After
No treat
No treat
Treat
Not during
mealtime
During
mealtime
Sits on
floor