Selectionism In A Person’s Behavior

Selectionism in behavior and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) emphasizes that our behavior is shaped and maintained by the consequences of our actions over time. The concept of selectionism explains how both reinforcement and punishment guide the development of a person’s behavioral patterns. It is similar in nature to how species adapt for survival.

For example, if a child receives praise for sharing something, that behavior is more likely to occur again because the positive consequence of the praise reinforces the behavior of sharing.