ch6 punishment

Chapter 6: Punishment

Quick Overview

  • Defining Punishment

  • Positive Punishment

  • Negative Punishment

  • Reinforcers vs. Punishers

  • Unconditioned Punishers

  • Conditioned Punishers

  • Factors Influencing Punishment

  • Potential Problems with Punishment

  • Alternatives to Punishment

I. Defining Punishment

  • Definition of Punishment:

    1. The occurrence of a behavior.

    2. Is followed immediately by a consequence.

    3. The behavior is less likely to occur in the future, demonstrating a decrease in the future probability of the behavior.

      • Timeline Description:

        • Present: Behavior is followed by a consequence.

        • Future: Behavior is less likely to occur.

  • Further Explanation:

    • Punishment is defined as the procedure of providing consequences for a behavior that reduces the strength or frequency of that behavior.

    • A Punisher is defined as any consequence that results in a decrease in the strength of the behavior it follows.

    • Also referred to as an aversive stimulus; a stimulus that decreases the future probability of that behavior.

II. Positive Punishment

  • Definition:

    • Positive punishment refers to a punishment procedure wherein a behavior is followed by the presentation of, or an increase in the intensity of, a stimulus.

  • Components:

    1. Following the behavior.

    2. A stimulus (punisher) is applied or presented.

    3. The behavior is less likely to occur in the future due to the applied stimulus.

III. Negative Punishment

  • Definition:

    • Negative punishment (also called penalty training) is a punishment procedure in which a behavior is followed by the removal of, or decrease in the intensity of, a stimulus.

  • Components:

    1. Following the behavior.

    2. A stimulus (reinforcer) is withdrawn or removed.

    3. The behavior is less likely to occur in the future as a result of the stimulus removal.

IV. Reinforcers vs. Punishers

  • Differences:

    • When a punisher is delivered following a behavior, the future occurrence of that behavior is decreased (this is an example of positive punishment).

    • Conversely, when a punisher is removed following a behavior, the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future increases (defined as negative reinforcement).

  • Reinforcer Delivery:

    • When a reinforcer is delivered following a behavior, the occurrence of that behavior is more likely to occur in the future (this is referred to as positive reinforcement).

    • When a reinforcer is removed following a behavior, the future occurrence of that behavior is less likely (this is called negative punishment).

Summary Table of Reactions

  • Stimulus Presented

    • Behavior Encouraged:

      • POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT (