Control by consequences: controversial theoretical and conceptual issues

Abstract

Understanding the control by consequences is crucial to understanding the behavior of organisms as a whole, although the precise identification of the consequences maintaining a response may not be a straightforward task. The purpose of the present article was to examine the inter-relationships between two kinds of consequences – positive and negative reinforcement – by comparison of the functional relations observed with each of these processes. For such, a review of the main theoretical hypotheses put forward to explain avoidance behavior was conducted, so as to illustrate the existing controversies in determining the precise consequence that maintains it. In addition, some possible aversive aspects of positive reinforcement were discussed as well as a comparison of the behavioral patterns engendered by contingencies of positive and negative reinforcement. This analysis led to the suggestion that behavioral processes should be distinguished based on their differential effects and not merely on operational criteria.