Basic research, application, ethics, and recommendations regarding non-contingent reinforcement procedures

The article highlights some findings in basic and applied research regarding the use of non-contingent reinforcement procedures. An emphasis is placed on the role of adventitious reinforcement of desirable or undesirable behaviors. Skinner argued that to best help people in need would be to provide functional behaviors so that people can later help themselves. Non-contingent reinforcement procedures may not help people develop such behaviors. A recommendation is made for implementation of multiple desirable target behaviors in application venues that use differential reinforcement methods to suppress undesirable behaviors.