Operant Learning: Understanding Punishment and Its Effects

Thorndike's View

Punishment has minimal long-term effects on behavior.

Skinner's View

Punishment temporarily suppresses behavior, not permanently.

Contingent Punishment

Punishment directly follows behavior, enhancing suppression.

Non-Contingent Punishment

Punishment occurs regardless of behavior, less effective.

Law of Effect

Behavior is influenced by its consequences.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to reduce behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a pleasant stimulus to reduce behavior.

Contingency

Consistency of punishment affects behavior reduction.

Contiguity

Timing of punishment impacts its effectiveness.

Punisher Intensity

Stronger punishers lead to greater behavior suppression.

Reinforcement of Punished Behavior

Punished behavior continues if it earns reinforcement.

Motivating Operations

Hunger increases effectiveness of food-related punishment.

Two-Process Theory

Combines classical and operant conditioning in punishment.

One-Process Theory

Operant conditioning alone explains punishment effects.

Premack Principle

High-probability behavior reinforces low-probability behavior.

Escape from Punishment

Subjects may avoid punishment sources, damaging relationships.

Aggression

Punishment may lead to aggressive responses.

Behavior Suppression

Punishment can cause general behavior repression.

Imitation

Punished individuals may replicate punishment on others.

Response Prevention

Modify environment to prevent unwanted behavior.

Extinction

Eliminating reinforcement to reduce behavior occurrence.

Differential Reinforcement

Reinforce alternative behaviors while extinguishing unwanted ones.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)

Reinforce specific alternative behaviors to replace unwanted ones.

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)

Reinforce behaviors incompatible with the unwanted behavior.

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rate (DRL)

Reinforce infrequent occurrences of a behavior.

Immediate Punishment

Punishment is most effective when applied immediately.

Delayed Punishment

Less effective due to potential intervening behaviors.

Positive Side Effects of Punishment

Can lead to increased sociability and cooperation.