What is a potential undesirable effect of non-contingent reinforcement?

Non-contingent reinforcement occurs when a reinforcement is provided without a clear connection to a specific behavior. This can lead to accidental reinforcement of undesired behaviors because the individual may engage in various behaviors, receiving reinforcement regardless of whether those behaviors are appropriate or desirable. As a result, the individual might start to associate certain undesirable actions with the reinforcement, leading to an increase in those behaviors.

For example, if a child receives praise (a form of reinforcement) simply for being in a particular place (like a classroom), they might begin to misbehave while there, as that behavior is now inadvertently reinforced. Thus, without a contingency that links reinforcement directly to positive behavior, non-contingent reinforcement can inadvertently promote behaviors that are not intended to be encouraged.