Behavioral contrast is defined as:

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Behavioral contrast refers to the phenomenon in which a change in the rate of reinforcement for a particular behavior, in one context, affects the behavior in a different context. This means that if the reinforcement for a behavior decreases in one setting, the same behavior may increase in a different setting where reinforcement has not changed. This can occur because the individual’s perception of reinforcement is altered when comparing the two environments.

Understanding behavioral contrast is important because it highlights how behaviors can be influenced not just by direct reinforcement, but also by the relative changes in reinforcement across different situations. This concept helps practitioners to strategize interventions, ensuring they consider how a change in one environment might affect behavior in another.

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