What are the types of reinforcers that can be categorized based on social interactions?

The categorization of reinforcers based on social interactions includes factors such as attention and escape from attention, which are integral to how individuals respond to social environments. Attention serves as a form of reinforcement because it can strengthen behavior when an individual receives it from others; people often seek attention for positive social interactions or to gain approval. Conversely, escape from attention can also serve as a reinforcer, as individuals may engage in certain behaviors to avoid unwanted social attention, indicating that behavior can be influenced by a desire to escape negative social stimuli.

This framework reflects how social dynamics can play a significant role in behavior modification, highlighting how both the pursuit of positive social engagement and the avoidance of negative social situations can effectively function as reinforcers in various contexts.