Exercise: Reinforcers

People like gold stars. Brainstorm rewards in the following categories. We’ve included some examples to get you started. For this you’ll need to get inside your loved one’s head, to make sure that surprise dog-sledding getaway is something he, not just you, will enjoy.

Inexpensive/Immediate Rewards/Reinforcers

• Be affectionate

• Talk about something that interests her

• Listen (really listen)

• Cheer him on

• Rub her shoulders

• Praise an accomplishment

• Give a compliment

• Give a little gift

• Offer your help

• Keep him company

• Take a walk together

• Serve a meal

• Do the dishes

• Watch TV together

• Let her be alone

• Do a chore that he doesn’t like doing

• Tuck a sweet note into her lunch/briefcase/sock drawer

• Get up with the kids so he can sleep in

• Run an errand for her

• Smile at him

YOUR IDEAS:

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More Expensive/Planned Rewards/Reinforcers

• Take a vacation together, or help her go on a vacation without you

• Prepare a special meal

• Go to a restaurant

• Give a special gift

• Meet him at the airport

• Do a big chore she doesn’t like doing

• Pay for a class/set of classes

YOUR IDEAS:

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Rewards/Reinforcers for Young Adults and Adolescents

• Allow a later curfew

• Allow friends to come over

• Help with homework or leave them alone to do homework

• Provide music lessons

• Give tickets, gift certificates, iTunes, etc.

• Serve her favorite food

• Allow extra time for screen access (TV, computer, phone)

• Provide a favorite snack

• Give a magazine subscription

• Give sports accessories

• Give a video game

• Give a ride somewhere

• Allow use of car

• Allow staying up late

• Allow to sleep in

• Pay for a special haircut/mani-pedi/dermatologist appointment

• Allow her to sit alone when the family eats at a restaurant

• Let him redecorate his own bedroom

YOUR IDEAS:

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Exercise: Healthy (Nonusing) Behavior Analysis

Just as your loved one has triggers for use, she also has triggers for healthy behaviors, which a Behavior Analysis can help you understand. This version of the exercise will help you identify all the external and internal reasons that your loved one may or may not choose to do something healthy. Use this information to help tip the scale toward healthy behavior by helping your loved one gain access to it and by actively reinforcing it.

Enjoyable, Healthy Behavior	Triggers		Consequences
	External	Internal	Short-Term Negative	Long-Term Positive
What is your loved one’s enjoyable, healthy behavior?	Who is your loved one usually with when s/he does it?	What do you think your loved one is thinking about right before doing it?	What do you think your loved one dislikes about the people with whom s/he does it?	What do you think are the positive results of your loved one’s behavior in each of these areas? (Asterisk the ones s/he would agree with.)
How often does s/he engage in it?	Where does your loved one usually do it?	What do you think your loved one is feeling right before doing it?	What do you think your loved one dislikes about the place(s) s/he does it?	Relationships:
How long does the behavior usually last?	When does your loved one usually do it?		What do you think your loved one dislikes about the time(s) of day at which s/he does it?	Physical health:
			What unpleasant thoughts do you think your loved one has while doing it?	Emotional health:
			What unpleasant feelings do you think your loved one has while doing it?	Legal benefits:
				Work or school benefits:
				Financial benefits:
				Other benefits: