Behavioral contrast is a concept from behavioral psychology that can be observed in dog training. It refers to the phenomenon where the rate of a specific behavior conversely changes in response to a change in the rate or type of consequence given for the same behavior in a different setting. Essentially, it's how a dog's behavior in one situation can be influenced by the rate or types of consequences it receives in a different situation or with a different person.
Behavioral contrast typically occurs in two different forms:
Positive Behavioral Contrast:
Positive behavioral contrast occurs when the reliability of behavior in one established context is increased after the dog experiences a lower rate or quality of reinforcement in another context.
Example in Dog Training:
- A dog's reliability and enthusiasm for performing tricks at home increase after it goes to doggy daycare and is asked to do the same tricks for lesser-value or infrequent treats.
Negative Behavioral Contrast:
Negative behavioral contrast occurs when the rate of behavior in one context is decreased after experiencing a higher rate or quality of reinforcement in another context.
Example in Dog Training:
- Suppose a dog receives high-value treats for sitting on command in a new training class but continues to receive lower-value treats or fewer reinforcements for the same behavior at home. The dog might become even less responsive or enthusiastic about performing the sit command at home than before joining the new class, as the contrast makes the past reward less appealing for the effort.
Implications for Dog Training:
- Consistency: Trainers should strive to maintain consistent reinforcement across different training contexts to avoid unintended contrasts. Similar reinforcement strategies in all training environments help stabilize behavior.
- Motivation: Effectively leveraging contrast can also be a strategy to increase motivation for essential contexts. For example, a reactive dog may obey commands more enthusiastically during a neighborhood walk if the reinforcement for the same commands is of lesser value within the home.
- Problem-Solving: If a dog demonstrates less enthusiasm or compliance in a particular setting, consider whether negative behavioral contrast might play a role. Assessing the types and frequencies of reinforcement in different settings can provide insights into behavior changes.
Behavioral Contrast and Punishment
Although this concept is commonly used to troubleshoot behavior changes in one established context based on changes in reinforcement in another newer context, the same concept applies to punishment-based consequences.
For example, if a mouthy puppy is punished by the newly hired dog walker with a more motivational aversive than what the owners usually do, the rate of mouthing at home may increase if the milder consequences do not seem as severe in contrast to what the puppy experienced with the dog walker.
In such cases, remember there is more to stopping unwanted behaviors than consistent consequences across all contexts.
After problem-solving, proper replacement behaviors and drive balancing should always be a consideration in any foundation-style training plan.
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