Open AccessInadvertent Reinforcement in Oral Myofunctional Therapy
Author(s) -
James C. Moore
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
the international journal of orofacial myology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2694-2526
pISSN - 0735-0120
DOI - 10.52010/ijom.1979.5.4.5
Subject(s) - reinforcement , psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , social psychology
The possibility of inadvertent reinforcement of undesirable behaviors during oral myofunctional therapy is examined. It is suggested that inappropriate use of therapist attention is often responsible for such reinforcement and it is concluded that: I) attention may function as a positive reinforcer for any behavior upon which it is contingent, 2) attention may serve as a reinforcer regardless of the intent of therapists' verbal statements which accompany it, and 3) therapist attention affects group behavior and patterns of peer reinforcement.