Chapter 10: Punishment-Based Procedures

Question 1

PUNISHMENT

Answer 1

A stimulus change occurring immediately after a behavior that weakens the future occurrence of the behavior.

Weakening may be a decrease in likelihood, frequency, magnitude, or duration. It may also be reflected in increased latency to responding.

Question 2

AVERSIVE

Answer 2

A stimulus change perceived to be unpleasant.

*What is aversive may not be a punisher (eg, mother yelling at kid to stop playing video game may be unpleasant but may not weaken future occurrence of behavior).

Question 3

ETHICAL USE OF PUNISHMENT

Answer 3

1. Use a functional analysis to understand behavior, identify reinforcement-based intervention components, and select appropriate punishment procedures.
2. Punishment should not be used without accompanying reinforcement-based procedures.
3. Teach appropriate alternative/replacement behaviors.