Chapter 6: Punishment

Question 1

Punishment

Answer 1

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)

Question 2

Punisher

Answer 2

a stimulus, object , or event that weakens a behaviour; often is an aversive unpleasant stimulus

Question 3

Positive punishment

Answer 3

a situation in which presentation of aversive stimulus decreases behavior
ex. lemon juice who bit other children

Question 4

application of aversive activities (Positive punishment)

Answer 4

requires the individual to perform aversive activity as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour

Question 5

application of aversive stimulation (Positive punishment)

Answer 5

punishes behavior by delivering an aversive stimulus

Question 6

Negative punishment

Answer 6

removal of a stimulus decrease behaviour

ex. music played during lunch time will be turned off if if gets to loud

Question 7

time-out from positive reinforcement (Negative punishment)

hint in the name

Answer 7

removes the individual from a reinforcing environment as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour

Question 8

response cost (Negative punishment)
(hint in the name)

Answer 8

punishes behaviour by taking away a valued item or privilege

Question 9

reinforcement vs. punishment

Answer 9

reinforcement increases behavior
punishment decreases behaviour

added stimulus: positive
remove stimulus: negative

Question 10

Extinction vs. punishment

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

unconditioned (primary) punisher

Answer 11

stimulus event that is naturally aversive (not due to prior conditioning or learning)

• does not have to be taught
  ex. pain from electric shock

Question 12

Conditioned (secondary) punisher

Answer 12

previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned punisher, thus also acts as a punisher
ex. threats, warnings

Question 13

generalized conditioned punisher

Answer 13

conditioned punisher that has been paired with a number of other punishers
ex. hearing the word “no”!

Question 14

immediacy

Answer 14

punishment is most effective when it follows immediately after the behaviour
ex. roadside speed traps

Question 15

Contingency

Answer 15

punishment is most effective when it follows every behaviour

Question 16

inadvertent reinforcement

Answer 16

that occurs during punishment, behaviour increases

ex. yelling at child, parents give child attention that they want, strengthens screaming behaviour

Question 17

motivating operations

Answer 17

events that can (temporarily) alter the effectiveness of punishment, and thus affect behavior

Question 18

establishing operation

Answer 18

establishes effectiveness of punishment

ex. roadside speed trap located in high-traffic area where others will see you being pulled over

Question 19

abolishing operation

Answer 19

decreases the effectiveness of punishment

ex. adding sweetener to lemon juice squirted into the mouth

Question 20

Verbal explanations

Answer 20

giving reason for delivery of punishment may enhance its effects

Question 21

individual differences

Answer 21

particular conditioned punishment depends on a individual’s past history, which varies from person to person

Question 22

magnitude of punishment

Answer 22

a more intense stimulus is more likely to function as a punisher
ex. weak lemon juice solution vs. highly concentrated

Question 23

Pros of punishment

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

Cons of punishment

Answer 24

• 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