ABA Therapy
What is a negative reinforcement in ABA? It means a behavior increases because something unpleasant is removed, reduced, or avoided right after the behavior. It is not punishment.
A fast example
Seatbelt alarm stops after you buckle up. Buckling happens more next time because the noise ends. That is negative reinforcement.
How it shows up in ABA sessions
In our sessions, we often see escape-maintained behavior. A child leaves the table, and the demand ends. If that makes leaving more likely next time, the behavior is negatively reinforced. The classic ABA paper on negative reinforcement has been cited 300+ times, reflecting how central this concept is in treatment planning.
What is a negative reinforcement in ABA? A behavior goes up because something aversive goes away. Want help identifying what is being escaped and how to teach a safer replacement skill? Call Epic Minds Therapy today. We will assess the function and build a clear plan.
FAQ
Is negative reinforcement the same as punishment?
No. Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases behavior.
What are common types?
Escape (ending a demand) and avoidance (preventing a demand) are common forms.
Why does it matter?
It helps explain why some behaviors repeat and how to replace them with safer skills.
Sources
- https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_125
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-negative-reinforcement-2795410
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1286076/
