Punishment and Extinction

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior, where positive reinforcement increases behavior while punishment aims to decrease unwanted behavior. Operant conditioning is a learning process in which behaviors are influenced by their consequences. It was developed by B.F. Skinner and is based on the idea that behaviors followed by reinforcements (rewards) are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by punishments are less likely to occur in the future.

• B.F Skinner: An influential American psychologist and behaviorist best known for developing the theory of operant conditioning.

• Reinforcements: Reinforcement is a process in operant conditioning where a consequence increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

• Punishmenst: A process in operant conditioning where a consequence decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

• Consequences affect only future behavior

Example

A student procrastinates on assignments but decides to complete their work on time. Their parents reward them with extra video game time. This positive reinforcement increases the likelihood that the student will complete assignments on time in the future.

Conversely, if the student neglects their studies and faces a punishment, such as losing privileges or receiving a poor grade, this negative reinforcement may lead them to avoid procrastination in the future.

Three Term Contingency

The three-term contingency is a fundamental concept in operant conditioning, describing the relationship between a behavior and its controlling environmental factors. It consists of three components:

1. Antecedent (A) – The stimulus or situation that precedes the behavior.

2. Behavior (B) – The observable response or action.

3. Consequence (C) – The outcome that follows the behavior, influencing whether it will occur again in the future.

Why is it the "basic unit of analysis" in operant behavior?

The three-term contingency is considered the basic unit of analysis in operant conditioning because it captures the entire functional relationship between behavior and its environment. It provides a systematic way to study how behaviors are shaped, maintained, or reduced based on their consequences. Instead of just looking at behavior in isolation, it examines how external factors influence learning and adaptation.

For example, in the case of procrastination:

• Antecedent: You sit at your desk but open social media instead of working.

• Behavior: You scroll through social media.

• Consequence: You feel entertained, reinforcing the procrastination habit.

By modifying the antecedent (e.g., removing distractions) or changing the consequence (e.g., rewarding yourself only after work is done), you can reshape behavior effectively.

Positive Punishment

Positive punishment occurs when an aversive stimulus is added after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood that the behavior will happen again in the future.

Scenario: A student talks out of turn in class

• Antecedent (A): The teacher is giving a lecture.

• Behavior (B): The student interrupts by talking out of turn.

• Consequence (C): The teacher scolds the student in front of the class (an aversive stimulus is added).

Since the scolding is unpleasant, the student is less likely to interrupt in the future, making this positive punishment.

Negative Punishment

Negative punishment occurs when a pleasant stimulus is removed after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood that the behavior will happen again in the future.

Scenario: A child refuses to share their toy

• Antecedent (A): The child is playing with a toy.

• Behavior (B): The child refuses to share with their sibling.

• Consequence (C): The parent takes the toy away (a pleasant stimulus is removed).

Since losing the toy is undesirable, the child is less likely to refuse sharing in the future, making this negative punishment.

Unconditioned, Conditioned, and Genarlized Punishers

• Unconditioned Punisher

  • A stimulus that is naturally aversive and decreases behavior without prior learning.

  • Example: Pain, extreme cold, loud noises—these naturally discourage behavior.

  • Example Scenario: Touching a hot stove (pain) immediately discourages the behavior.

• Conditioned Punisher

  • A stimulus that gains its punishing effect through association with an unconditioned or other conditioned punisher.

  • Example: Verbal reprimands, fines, warning signals—these become punishing because they predict negative outcomes.

  • Example Scenario: A child gets scolded (verbal reprimand) for interrupting class, reducing the behavior over time.

• Generalized Punisher

  • A conditioned punisher that has been paired with multiple other punishers, making it effective across various situations.

  • Example: Social disapproval (e.g., frowning, scolding), loss of privileges—these work in many contexts because they predict various negative outcomes.

  • Example Scenario: A student is repeatedly ignored or given disapproving looks for making rude jokes, decreasing the behavior.

Operant Behavior

• Operant behavior is any behavior determined by its history of consequences