Description

People struggle with changing their behavior. They are unhappy about their productivity at work, their (lack of) exercise routine, and any number of other habits. Deciding to make a positive change works, for a day or two. Then everything reverts back to normal. Is this true for you too?

Behaviorism, the scientific study of the behavior of living things, helps explain why. It introduces the concept of a reinforcer. Any consequence of a behavior that increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again is a reinforcer. Examples include a treat given to a dog for obeying a command, and the paycheck you get for work. Only behavior that is reinforced becomes permanent.

B.F. Skinner was instrumental in the development of behaviorism. He invented a tool for the study of different schedules of reinforcement, which has become known as the Skinner Box. A small animal, typically a rat or a pigeon, was kept in a cage where some behavior, such as pressing a lever, was reinforced by a food pellet. Through controlled experiments he could establish the powerful effect of reinforcers.

Skinner's work has since become part of psychological disciplines designed for humans. In particular, token economies have proven effective. By defining rewards for desired behavior, long term change can be accomplished.

The Skinner Box app helps you implement your own token economy. Add tasks that you want to do, rewards that you find reinforcing, and configure schedules that turn rewards into reinforcers for the desired behavior. Skinner Box is your tool for lasting change.

Support

Contact me at email@martinmagnusson.com for any questions.