To the editor: The authors present a superb description of contingency administration as an evidence-based remedy for some people hooked on stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine (“There’s an effective way to treat drug addiction — but you may not like it,” July 15).
Not talked about is that contingency administration is derived from a fundamental science of habits found by psychologist B. F. Skinner known as operant conditioning. The invention of operant conditioning has spawned quite a few evidence-based therapies of varied problems, together with, however not restricted to, the habits of people identified with autism and associated problems.
The bedrock precept of operant conditioning is reinforcement, which states merely that the result of some habits will increase the longer term probability of that habits. Within the case of substance abusers, the specified habits is being substance-free.
In response to the authors, some might not like that individuals with substance abuse problems earn cash for being substance-free. They are saying some name this bribery.
However reinforcement isn’t bribery. Bribery is outlined as providing anyone presents or cash to interact in habits that’s normally unlawful or dishonest. Typically, the bribe is given earlier than the habits, whereas reinforcement all the time follows the habits.
There may be nothing about reinforcing acceptable habits that may be known as bribery. If you get a paycheck for working, we don’t name {that a} bribe.
Henry D. Schlinger, Glendale
This author is professor emeritus of psychology at Cal State Los Angeles.
