Let’s remember our ABCs in our Antedent, Behavior, Consequence series;

The reinforcer is the “C” – the pleasant consequence that follows a behavior. It’s the second step in the process.

• The consequence is what happens after the behavior as a result of the behavior
• A pleasant consequence causes a behavior to occur more frequently

It is important to remember that reinforcement is defined by the learner. Something is only a reinforcer if it increases the likelihood of the child doing a behavior again. If you think a child should like something, but the learner doesn’t like it, or doesn’t link it to a behavior, then it will not be a reinforcer.