Punishment Flashcards
What is punishment
Process in which the consequence of a behaviour weakens the behaviour (less likely to occur in the future)
What is a punisher
Stimulus, object, or event that weakens a behaviour; often is an aversive (unpleasant) stimulus
What is positive punishment
Situation in which presentation of aversive stimulus decreases behaviour
Two subtypes of positive punishment
Application of aversive activities
Application of aversive stimulation
What is application of aversive activities
+ punishment
Requires the individual to perform aversive activity as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour
What is application of aversive stimulation
+ punishment
Punishes behaviour by delivering an aversive stimulus
What is negative punishment
Situation in which removal of an appetitive stimulus decreases behaviour
Subtypes of negative punishment
Time-out from positive reinforcement
Response cost
What is time-out from positive reinforcement
(-) punishment
Remove the individual from a reinforcing environment as a consequence for inappropriate behaviour
What is response cost
(-) punishment
Punishes behaviour by taking away a valued item or privilege (e.g. money)
Differences between reinforcement and punishment
Reinforcement increases behaviour, punishment decreases behaviour
Differences between extinction and negative punishment
Extinction: the reinforcer maintaining the behaviour is withheld (gradual)
Neg pun: a reinforcer is taken away (not necessarily the one maintaining behaviour) (rapid)
E.g. of negative punishment vs extinction
Extinction: child swears = parents give no attention
Neg pun: child swears = loses $1 allowance
What are the types of punishers
Unconditioned (primary)
Conditioned (secondary)
What is an unconditioned punisher? E.g.
Stimulus or event that is naturally aversive (not due to prior learning) e.g. loud sounds
What is a conditioned punisher? E.g.
Previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned punisher, thus also acts as a punisher
e.g. reprimands
What is the subtype of conditioned punisher?
Generalized conditioned punisher: conditioned punisher that has been paired with a number of other punishers
What factors influence the effectiveness of punishment (7)
Immediacy
Contingency
Inadvertent reinforcement during punishment
Motivating operations
Verbal explanations (increase effects)
Individual differences
Magnitude of punishment
What is motivating operations with regards to punishment
Events that can temporarily alter the effectiveness of punishment, and thus affect behaviour
Two types of motivating operations
Establishing operations: establishes/increases effectiveness of punishment
Abolishing operations: decreases the effectiveness of punishment
Pros of punishment (4)
Rapid
beh responds when resistant to other treatment
beneficial side effects (generalization to other behaviours)
complete suppression of unwanted beh
Cons of punishment (5)
Aggressive responses
escape/avoidance responses
overuse in the person administering it due to negative reinforcement to person
modeling (learn to use it on others)
ethical issues
What is corporal punishment
Pertaining to the human body, physical punishment, positive punishment
