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The value of contingencies and schedules of reinforcement: Fundamentals of behavior analysis contributing to the efficacy of behavioral business research

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Tagliabue

    (Department of Behavioural Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway)

  • Ingunn Sandaker

    (Department of Behavioural Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway)

  • Gunnar Ree

    (Department of Behavioural Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

The effectiveness and sustainability of behavioral insights, which characterize contemporary evidence-based public policymaking and social regulations, are dependent on the establishment of a functional relationship between a desired behavior and its beneficial consequences. We address two fundamental concepts in the science of behavior analysis, namely contingencies of reinforcement and schedules of reinforcement, in order to contribute to the multidisciplinary discussion on tackling large-scale behavior change. As for many other disciplines, different conceptual frameworks may define the same phenomena. The behavioral perspective unites several disciplines. The focus of the paper is to contribute to the growing field of behavioral solutions by focusing on the consequences of behavior. Behavioral economics has contributed largely by offering the design of choice architecture: deliberately manipulating the antecedents for appropriate behaviors. This is accomplished by changing the default solutions in forms, opting in, opting out of alternatives and so on, often described under the umbrella of nudging. The contributions from our field of behavioral sciences is the selectionist perspective. This offers conceptual framework for the analysis of establishing, maintaining or changing behavior. The science of reinforcement and the effects of different schedules of reinforcement may contribute to the knowledge of why some behaviors are more easily established and are more resistant towards extinction than others, why they can be generalized over situations or how they can be influenced for lasting change. Individual behavior must come into contact with contingencies sufficiently powerful to initiate behavior change; schedules are instrumental in maintaining the change. This comprises the ultimate challenge of policy makers, for the sake of their stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Tagliabue & Ingunn Sandaker & Gunnar Ree, 2017. "The value of contingencies and schedules of reinforcement: Fundamentals of behavior analysis contributing to the efficacy of behavioral business research," Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Economics (SABE), vol. 1(S), pages 33-39, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:beh:jbepv1:v:1:y:2017:i:s:p:33-39
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    References listed on IDEAS

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