Overcorrection
A positive punishment procedure in which, after a problem behavior, the person performs effortful related behavior, such as restoring the environment or repeatedly practicing the correct behavior.
Overcorrection requires the person to do more than simply undo the problem behavior. There are two main forms. In restitutional overcorrection, the person repairs the damage they caused and then restores the environment to a better condition than before, such as cleaning up the spilled milk and then wiping the whole table. In positive practice overcorrection, the person repeatedly practices the correct form of the behavior, such as walking down the hallway correctly several times after running.
Overcorrection is classed as positive punishment because effortful activity is added after the behavior and the behavior decreases. It has an educational element, since the required behavior is related to the problem behavior and positive practice repeats the correct response. It can also be time-consuming, may require physical guidance if the person refuses, and may produce emotional responding or aggression. Because guidance and effort can make it intrusive, it is used only when written into the plan, with specified steps, duration and how to respond to refusal.
Under the RBT Ethics Code (2.0), RBTs implement punishment-based procedures only when they are included in a documented behavior-change plan and after the supervisor has verified their competence.
The RBT carries out the procedure calmly and neutrally, without extra attention or lecturing, follows the stated number of repetitions or steps, and records each use and any side effects.
Example and non-example
| Example | A client throws trash on the floor. The plan calls for restitutional overcorrection, so the RBT has the client pick up their trash and also tidy the rest of the floor area. |
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| Non-example | A client spills water by accident and the RBT asks them to wipe it up, as anyone would. Simply fixing the mess, without the added effort, is not overcorrection. |
Don't confuse it with
| Response cost | Response cost removes a reinforcer, while overcorrection adds effortful activity related to the problem behavior. |
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| Error correction | Error correction is a teaching procedure that helps a learner give the correct response after a mistake, while overcorrection is a punishment procedure for problem behavior. |
Test yourself
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Question 1After a client knocks over a trash can, the plan has the client pick up all the spilled trash and also tidy the rest of the area. Which procedure is this?
Show answer
D: Restitutional overcorrection. Restitutional overcorrection requires the person to fix the damage they caused and restore the area to a condition better than before.
- A: Positive practice means repeating the correct form of a behavior, not restoring the environment.
- B: Response cost removes a reinforcer, such as tokens.
- C: Contingent observation is a time-out form in which the client watches others.
Task D.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2After running in the school hallway, a student must walk the length of the hallway correctly several times, as the plan states. Which procedure is this?
Show answer
A: Positive practice overcorrection. Positive practice overcorrection requires the person to repeat the correct form of the behavior several times after the problem behavior.
- B: Restitution means repairing the environment; here the student repeats the correct behavior.
- C: Time-out removes access to reinforcement; this adds effortful practice.
- D: No reinforcer is taken away.
Task D.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3Overcorrection is classified as which kind of procedure?
Show answer
C: Positive punishment. Overcorrection adds effortful behavior (restitution or positive practice) after the misbehavior to reduce it, so it is a positive punishment procedure.
- A: Overcorrection adds effortful activity; it does not remove a reinforcer.
- B: Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing a stimulus.
- D: Differential reinforcement delivers reinforcement for some responses and not others.
Task D.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
Answer every question to see your score.
On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task D.5 Positive and negative punishment in content area D, Behavior Reduction, which is 14 of the 75 scored questions.