B5: Identify and distinguish between positive and negative punishment contingencies.

What is positive punishment?

Positive punishment involves presenting a stimulus after a behavior that decreases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Example of positive punishment

A child touches a hot stove (behavior) and feels pain (stimulus), which discourages them from touching it again.

What is negative punishment?

Negative punishment entails removing a stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

Example of negative punishment

A teenager loses phone privileges (stimulus) after staying out past curfew (behavior), discouraging late returns.

How do positive and negative punishment differ?

Positive punishment adds a stimulus to decrease behavior, while negative punishment removes a stimulus to achieve the same effect.

When is positive punishment effective?

Positive punishment is effective when the aversive consequence is immediate and significant enough to alter behavior.

Negative punishment effectiveness factors

The effectiveness of negative punishment depends on the value of the removed stimulus and its relevance to the individual.

How can positive punishment backfire?

It can lead to fear or anxiety in the subject, which may result in avoidance behaviors instead of behavior change.

Impact of negative punishment on behavior

Negative punishment can foster resentment if used excessively, but when used appropriately, it can lead to positive behavior change.

Role of context in punishment

The context in which punishment is applied significantly influences its effectiveness and may affect the recipient's perception.