The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

Altering the Relative Efficiencies of Responses for Behavioral Improvement: Session 297 with Steve Ward

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Apr 16, 2025

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ANECDOTE

Steve Ward's Whole Child Journey

Steve Ward describes his journey emphasizing the "whole child" approach beyond verbal behavior or discrete trial methods.
He created the Inventory of Good Learning Repertoires to assess and support children's learning across multiple dimensions.

INSIGHT

Matching Law Simplified

The matching law states behaviors are emitted in proportion to their reinforcement rates.
Animals don't always choose the most reinforced behavior exclusively but distribute responses relative to reinforcement density.

ADVICE

Reinforce Approximations Early

Reinforce approximations quickly and prompt efficiently to make alternative behaviors more efficient.
Set realistic criteria early and schedule reinforcement to promote replacement of problem behaviors.

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Steve Ward returns to the podcast to talk about a paper he recently published with co-author Teresa Grimes, titled, "50 Practical Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors."

In this conversation, we review the highlights of this paper, and discuss things like The Matching Law, making desired behavior more efficient in generating reinforcement, making problem behaviors less efficient, and how altering reinforcement parameters like delay, magnitude, and schedules can enhance learner progress.

We also talk about the work that Steve does with his company, Whole Child Consulting, as well as a Q & A he will be doing on this topic that's coming up on April 23rd, 2025.

Steve is the author of Teaching Good Learner Repertoires, What You Need To Know About Motivation And Teaching Games: An In-Depth Analysis, and other popular texts relevant to Behavior Analysts working in a variety of settings.

If you'd like to work with Steve or find supplementary materials on the things he likes to talk about, check out his website, Whole Child Consulting.

Resources discussed in this podcast:

Ward and Grimes (2025). 50 Practical Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors.
Ward, Parker, and Perdikaris (2016). Task as Reinforcer: a Reactive Alternative to Traditional Forms of Escape Extinction.
Perone (2003). The Negative Effects of Positive Reinforcement.
Steve's earlier appearances on the BOP in Session 111 and Session 187.
Anxiety? ABA has something for that! (Steve's Behavior University webinar, use promo code PODCAST at checkout to save $$$).

Please note that we had some internet disruptions during our recording but I don't think they detracted from the overall intelligibility of the conversation.

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