The response indicating that low effort responses should not receive the most powerful reinforcers is rooted in behavioral principles that emphasize the importance of reinforcing effort and quality of behavior. When considering the application of reinforcement, it’s critical to align it with goals of promoting desirable behaviors.
Reinforcement is most effective when it is contingent upon the demonstration of the behavior you wish to encourage. Giving powerful reinforcers for low effort can lead to a pattern where minimal effort is perpetuated, ultimately diluting the value of the reinforcer and potentially fostering a lack of motivation to strive for better performance. This aligns with the overall aim of encouraging improvement and higher levels of engagement, which are vital in learning and skill development, particularly in individuals with autism.
This principle encourages practitioners to set clear expectations for effort and to ensure that reinforcement is tied to the quality of responses and the level of effort demonstrated. Doing so can help in shaping future behaviors and motivating individuals to put forth their best effort in subsequent tasks or activities.