Behavioural (learning) theory emphasizes the importance of positive and negative reinforcement as a
mechanism for influencing behaviour, and this has immediate relevance for adherence.
– The most basic, but powerful, principle is that of antecedents and consequences
and their influence on behaviour (i.e. operant learning) (54,55).
– Antecedents, or preceding events, are internal (thoughts) or external (environmental
cues) circumstances that elicit a behaviour.
– Consequences, or expected consequences, that can be conceptualized as
rewards or punishments, also influence behaviour.
– The probability of a patient, provider, or health care system initiating or continuing
a behaviour partially depends on what happens before and after the
behaviour occurs.
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