BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS AND REINFORCEMENT - AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

Most traditional conceptions of reinforcement are based on a simple ca usal model in which responding is strengthened by the presentation of a reinforcer. I argue that reinforcement is better viewed as the outco me of constraint of a functioning causal system comprised of multiple interrelated causal sequences, complex linkages between causes and eff ects, and a set of initial conditions. Using a simplified system conce ption of the reinforcement situation, I review the similarities and dr awbacks of traditional reinforcement models and analyze the recent con tributions of cognitive, regulatory, and ecological approaches. Finall y, I show how the concept of behavior systems can begin to incorporate both traditional and recent conceptions of reinforcement in an integr ative approach.