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From DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition  by Marsha M. Linehan. Copyright 2015 by Marsha M. Linehan. Permission 
to photocopy this handout is granted to purchasers of this book for personal use only (see copyright page for details).interpersonal effectiveness Handout 20   (I. E. Worksheet 14)
Strategies for increasing the p robability  
of Behaviors y ou Want
Describe behaviors for yourself or others that you would like to start or increase:
 
reinforcer = a consequence that increases frequency of a behavior.
positive reinforcement = positive consequences (i.e., reward).
Behavior is increased by consequences a person wants, likes, or will work to get.
Examples:                                         
negative reinforcement = removal of negative events (i.e., relief).
Behavior is increased by consequences that stop or reduce something negative.
Examples:                                         
Shaping = r einforcing small steps toward the behavior you want.
••Reinforce small steps that lead toward the goal.
••As new behavior stabilizes, require a little bit more before reinforcing.
••Continue until you reach the goal behavior.
Examples of steps to a goal behavior:                            
                                             
Timing counts.
••Reinforce behavior immediately after it occurs.
••When shaping new behavior, at first reinforce every instance of the behavior.
••Once behavior is established, gradually start to reinforce only some of the time.
cau Tion: When you vary reinforcement, behavior becomes very hard to stop.