What is Remove reward?
This technique eliminates the positive consequence that is maintaining an unwanted behavior. Without its reinforcing reward, the behavior gradually extinguishes.
How it works
The technique is based on the extinction principle: behaviors that are no longer reinforced decline in frequency. Identifying the actual reward maintaining the behavior (which may differ from the obvious one) is the critical diagnostic step. Attention-seeking misbehavior, for example, is maintained by the attention it receives; removing the attention (ignoring the behavior) removes the reward.
Applied example
A child who throws tantrums in the grocery store to get candy is rewarded every time the parent gives in. When the parent consistently ignores the tantrums (removes the reward of candy and attention), the tantrums decrease after an initial escalation.
Why it matters
Removing rewards for unwanted behavior requires correctly identifying what is actually reinforcing the behavior, which is often not what seems obvious on the surface.
