What is behavioral contrast?

Behavioral contrast refers to a phenomenon in which the rate or intensity of a behavior changes in response to a change in the schedule of reinforcement or punishment in another behavior. In other words, when the rate or intensity of one behavior changes, the opposite can happen to another behavior.

For example, if a person is rewarded for completing a task with money and that reward is suddenly reduced, they might reduce their productivity or motivation for the task. Conversely, if a person is punished for a certain behavior, they might increase the frequency of other behaviors that are not being punished.

Behavioral contrast can occur in a variety of settings, including interpersonal relationships, classroom settings, and workplace environments. The concept of behavioral contrast is important to understand when trying to modify or change certain behaviors, as it can impact the effectiveness of interventions.