Tangible reinforcers: Bonuses or bribes?

Discusses objections to the use of tangible reinforcers, e.g., prizes, candy, cigarettes, and money. The objections range from concerns about bribery to concerns about adverse behavioral effects. While the use of tangible reinforcers has been extensively shown to change certain behaviors, their misuse is all too frequent. Treatment programs using tangible reinforcers are recommended as powerful modifiers of behavior to be implemented only after less powerful means of modification have been tried. (27 ref.)