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Related Concept Videos

Operant Conditioning01:21

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
Reinforcement Schedules01:24

Reinforcement Schedules

Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned,...
Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Reinforcement01:23

Reinforcement

Positive and negative reinforcement are key concepts in operant conditioning, a learning process where the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
Timing and Consequences on Behavior01:08

Timing and Consequences on Behavior

In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective. 
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...

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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
08:30

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats

Published on: February 15, 2015

It is Time to Retire "Noncontingent Reinforcement".

Mary Max Llinás1, Thomas R Freeman2, Elbert Blakely1

  • 1School of Behavior Analysis, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL USA.

Perspectives on Behavior Science
|June 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The term noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is conceptually flawed and used inconsistently. This article reviews its history, proposes a new umbrella term, and suggests resolving terminological issues in behavior analysis.

Keywords:
Conceptual revisionNoncontingent reinforcementOn termsResponse-independent

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Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE
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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
08:30

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Published on: February 15, 2015

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE
06:57

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

Published on: May 14, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

  • The term noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is widely used in research and practice.
  • Concerns exist regarding its conceptual flaws and inconsistent application in the literature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a history of NCR.
  • To describe procedures labeled as NCR.
  • To explore terminological issues and arguments for retaining or removing NCR.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of NCR.
  • Analysis of terminological issues.
  • Proposal of a new umbrella term.

Main Results:

  • NCR is an umbrella term for diverse procedures (response-independent, response-dependent, and others).
  • This broad usage leads to confusion and imprecise communication.
  • Arguments for and against retaining NCR are summarized.

Conclusions:

  • The term NCR is problematic due to its broad and inconsistent application.
  • Response-independent schedules are proposed as a more accurate umbrella term.
  • Resolving this terminology issue is crucial for clear communication in behavior analysis.