Replacement Behavior Strategies Must Include Reinforcement Procedures
Replacement behavior strategies must include reinforcement procedures to ensure the new behavior is learned and maintained. By rewarding desired actions through positive reinforcement, token systems, or praise, individuals are more likely to adopt the replacement behavior and reduce reliance on the unwanted behavior.
Replacement Behavior Strategies Quiz
Replacement Behavior Strategies
Question 1 |
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior | |
Teaching a functionally equivalent behavior | |
Response cost | |
Extinction procedure |
Question 2 |
Sensory replacement | |
Functional communication training | |
Noncontingent reinforcement | |
Response blocking |
Question 3 |
Sensory-seeking behavior | |
Escape behavior | |
Tangible-maintained behavior | |
Attention-maintained behavior |
Question 4 |
Tangible | |
Attention | |
Sensory | |
Escape/Avoidance |
Question 5 |
Functional equivalence replacement behavior | |
Extinction | |
Token economy | |
Stimulus fading |
|
List |
When you’re working on behavior change, whether in ABA therapy, classroom management, or parenting, replacement behavior strategies must be your go-to tool.
But there’s one rule that separates effective plans from failed ones: they must include reinforcement procedures.
Unlike others, if you skip reinforcement, you’re not teaching a lasting change; basically, you’re just giving a suggestion the learner is likely to ignore.
What Are Replacement Behavior Strategies?
In simple terms, a replacement behavior strategy is a plan to teach a new, socially acceptable action that serves the same purpose as an unwanted behavior.
In ABA terms, this is called a Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behavior (FERB).
For Example,
- Problem Behavior: Shouting to get the teacher’s attention
- Replacement Behavior: Raising a hand or using a “help” card
- Function: Getting attention
If you are still confused, let me tell you an analogy: the new behavior must work just as well (or better) for the learner as the old one did.
Why Reinforcement Is Non-Negotiable?
It is non-negotiable because reinforcement is the engine that powers behavior change.
So, in my personal opinion, when the learner doesn’t get something meaningful after using the replacement behavior, they have zero reason to stick with it.
Just think about it, if a child raises their hand instead of yelling, but the teacher never calls on them, what happens?
They’ll go back to yelling because that’s what worked before. So, that’s how Replacement Behavior Strategies work, and it is mandatory in this field to make changes.
It is your job to make it feel like you are enforcing these new replacements.
How Reinforcement Supports Replacement Behaviors?
I can tell you from firsthand experience that reinforcement works, and it works well to support the replacement of bad behavior and instill new, better ones.
- Builds Motivation – Shows the learner the new behavior is worth doing.
- Creates Consistency – Encourages the same positive choice over and over.
- Prevents Relapse – Reduces the chance they’ll go back to problem behaviors.
- Matches Function – Reinforcement is tailored to meet the same need the problem behavior served.
Types of Reinforcement to Use
The thing about reinforcement is that not all of them are equal; it has to be meaningful to the learner and delivered consistently.
Here are a few common options that you can have a look at.
- Social Praise – “I like how you asked for help.”
- Tangible Rewards – Stickers, tokens, or small prizes.
- Activity Access – Time with a preferred game, toy, or activity.
- Natural Consequences – Immediate access to what they were requesting (e.g., attention, break, item).
So, let’ say one of your students asks for a break politely, you give them right away. But if they scream for a break, the request is ignored until they use the new method.
This way, until they are asked calmly, they will not get the break, and over time, this new habit will be instilled.
