The video below shows an interview with the captain of a commercial fishing vessel, operated in Alaska’s Bering Sea. The captain is accustomed to dealing with men from varied backgrounds, many of whom do not speak each other’s languages. The approach to management and training on the vessel had been largely based on threats and commands. Changing to the positive TAGteach approach led to increased productivity, fewer injuries and a decrease in insurance rates. The video illustrates some of the ways that reinforcement is part of the TAGteach approach.

The video below shows how a child diagnosed with autism finds reinforcement in the TAGteach approach, just as the adult fisherman do.

He likes the powdered sugar donuts that he sometimes receives after a tag, but he also likes the feeling of winning and he likes to help his friend win too.

Note that reinforcers come in many forms and, to be reinforcing, must be something for which the learner will work. Remember, something is only a reinforcer if it increases the likelihood of a behaviour happening again. If the behaviour you are trying to increase does not increase, then whatever you are using is not actually a reinforcer.