04a_Punishment

Question 1

Punishment:

Definition

Answer 1

Applying or withdrawing the stimulus following a behavior in order to decrease that behavior

Question 2

Factors that influence the effectiveness of Punishment

Answer 2

Immediacy

Consistency

Intensity

Verbal clarification

Removal of All Positive Reinforcement

Reinforcement for Alternative Behaviors

Question 3

Punishment:

Immediacy

Answer 3

Punishment is most effective when it is applied at the onset of the behavior/beginning of behavior chain

Question 4

Punishment:

Consistency

Answer 4

Maximize punishment by using continuous schedule

It should follow each performance of the target behavior

Question 5

Punishment:

Intensity

Answer 5

Punishment is most effective when applied in moderation

Too strong = avoidance/aggression

Question 6

Habituation of Punishment

Answer 6

Initially administering punishment in a weak form and then gradually increasing its intensity

Increases the likelihood that punishment will lose its effectiveness

Question 7

Punishment:

Removal Of All Positive Reinforcement

Answer 7

Punishment is most effective when all stimuli that previously reinforced behavior are withheld at the same time the behavior is being punished

Question 8

Punishment:

Reinforcement for Alternative Behaviors

Answer 8

Punishment only teaches what not to do

Therefore its effectiveness increases when it’s combined with reinforcement for alternative behaviors

Question 9

Punishment:

Ethical considerations

Answer 9

Many believe it should only be used when:

Other treatments have been ineffective
or
Target behavior is more harmful than the treatment

Question 10

Punishment:

Effectiveness

Answer 10

Punishment does not eliminate a behavior, it merely suppresses it

Effects of punishment are often short-term, inconsistent, and limited to specific situation

People also learn when punishment is likely to occur, and then continue to engage in behavior when punishment is unlikely

Question 11

Punishment:

Effectiveness of Verbal Reprimands

Answer 11

Inconsistent effectiveness

Sometimes they can act as positive reinforcers and actually increase the target behavior

Effects of reprimands are temporary if not followed by other consequences (e.g., time-out)

Question 12

Punishment:

Overcorrection

Answer 12

Positive punishment that uses a penalty following an undeserved behavior. Two types:

Restitution

Positive practice

Question 13

Punishment:

Positive Practice

Answer 13

A form of overcorrection in which the person practices more appropriate behaviors, usually in an exaggerated fashion

Question 14

Punishment:

Negative Practice

Answer 14

Individual deliberately repeats the undesirable behavior to the point that it becomes aversive/fatiguing

(Opposite of positive practice)

Question 15

Punishment:

Best uses for negative practice

Answer 15

For habits and behaviors that individual would like to eliminate but has been unable to control

E.g. nail-biting, hair twisting, pica, motor tics, stuttering, smoking

Question 16

Punishment:

Response Cost

Answer 16

Negative punishment that removes specific reinforcer each time target behavior is performed

Most commonly associated with token economies

Can be used whenever control of positive reinforcers is possible

(e.g., taking away a child’s computer privileges for specific., Decreasing allowance every time child engages in behavior)

Question 17

Punishment:

Time-out From Reinforcement

Answer 17

Removal of all sources of positive reinforcement for brief prespecified period of time following the behavior

Question 18

Time-out:

Negative punishment vs Extinction

Answer 18

Extinction =
removal of specific reinforcer
continuous removal
previously reinforced response

Time-out =
removes all sources of reinforcement
specific period of time
behavior may or may not been established or maintained by reinforcement

Question 19

Time-out:

Considerations

Answer 19

Duration is not critical

Short timeouts are as effective as longer ones
(optimal = 5 to 10)

Most effective when combined with reinforcement for alternative behaviors

Effectiveness increased when timeout begins with a brief explanation of why it is being applied