Chapter 6: Punishment Flashcards
Punishment
the process in which the consequence of a behaviour weakens the behaviour
- behaviour is less likely to occur in the future (frequency), or occurs more slowly (latency)
Punisher
a stimulus, object , or event that weakens a behaviour; often is an aversive unpleasant stimulus
Positive punishment
a situation in which presentation of aversive stimulus decreases behavior
ex. lemon juice who bit other children
application of aversive activities (Positive punishment)
requires the individual to perform aversive activity as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour
application of aversive stimulation (Positive punishment)
punishes behavior by delivering an aversive stimulus
Negative punishment
removal of a stimulus decrease behaviour
ex. music played during lunch time will be turned off if if gets to loud
time-out from positive reinforcement (Negative punishment)
hint in the name
removes the individual from a reinforcing environment as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour
response cost (Negative punishment) (hint in the name)
punishes behaviour by taking away a valued item or privilege
reinforcement vs. punishment
reinforcement increases behavior
punishment decreases behaviour
added stimulus: positive
remove stimulus: negative
Extinction vs. punishment
- extinction: reinforcer is maintaining the behavior is withheld, more gradual
- negative punishment: reinforcer is taken away, more rapid
ex. child swears: get attention from parents
extinction: parents do not give child attention
negative punishment:child loses one dollar of allowance
unconditioned (primary) punisher
stimulus event that is naturally aversive (not due to prior conditioning or learning)
- does not have to be taught
ex. pain from electric shock
Conditioned (secondary) punisher
previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned punisher, thus also acts as a punisher
ex. threats, warnings
generalized conditioned punisher
conditioned punisher that has been paired with a number of other punishers
ex. hearing the word “no”!
immediacy
punishment is most effective when it follows immediately after the behaviour
ex. roadside speed traps
Contingency
punishment is most effective when it follows every behaviour
inadvertent reinforcement
that occurs during punishment, behaviour increases
ex. yelling at child, parents give child attention that they want, strengthens screaming behaviour
motivating operations
events that can (temporarily) alter the effectiveness of punishment, and thus affect behavior
establishing operation
establishes effectiveness of punishment
ex. roadside speed trap located in high-traffic area where others will see you being pulled over
abolishing operation
decreases the effectiveness of punishment
ex. adding sweetener to lemon juice squirted into the mouth
Verbal explanations
giving reason for delivery of punishment may enhance its effects
individual differences
particular conditioned punishment depends on a individual’s past history, which varies from person to person
magnitude of punishment
a more intense stimulus is more likely to function as a punisher
ex. weak lemon juice solution vs. highly concentrated
Pros of punishment
- works rapidly
- behaviour may be resistant to other forms of treatment may respond to punishment
- there may be beneficial side-effects, such as generalization to other behaviors ex. after speeding ticket, won’t speed
- may lead to suppression
Cons of punishment
- may cause undesirable emotional or aggressive responses
- may cause undesirable emotional or aggressive responses
- may cause escape and avoidance responses (can be strengthened if they create negative reinforcement)
- may induce overuse in the person administering it, due to producing negative reinforcement
- modeling: individual subjected to the punishment may rarely learn to use punishment to control others
- ethical issues
