The Match between Reinforcer Class and Response Class: Its Influence on Communication Intervention Strategies

Abstract

Reinforcement principles applied to language intervention have attended primarily to the “power” of the reinforcer selected rather than the match between the reinforcer and topography of the behavior being taught. Stokes and Baer (1977) emphasized the use of natural maintaining contingencies. This emphasis has resulted in a number of investigations that have attempted to discern the effect(s) that the functional relationship between stimulus and reinforcer might have upon the acquisition of language comprehension and production skills. This article reviews this literature, offers methodological considerations in the selection of reinforcer/response relations, and discusses the possible effect that such reinforcement strategies have on learning to comprehend language as well as learning to produce language to both request and provide information.

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