Punishment

Question 1

What is Punishment?

Answer 1

Occurs when the strength of a behavior is weakened by the consequence that reliably follows the occurrence of the behavior

Question 2

What is the punisher/change agent?

Answer 2

• The stimulus or event that reduces the behavior (acts as the punishment)
• The person providing the punishment

Question 3

Three characteristics of a punishment

Answer 3

1. The behavior has a consequence
2. The behavior decreases in strength
3. The decrease is due to the consequence

Question 4

Positive vs Negative Punishment

Answer 4

• Positive/Type 1: the addition or increase in intensity of a [noxious] stimulus that weakens the behavior
• Negative/Type 2: the removal or reduction in intensity of a [desirable] stimulus that results in the behavior weakening

Question 5

Extinction vs Negative Punishment

Answer 5

Extinction
- not providing the Sr that maintains the behavior
- slow decrease in bx, extinction burst
Negative punishment
- removing any strong Sr as a consequence for bx
- Sr was already acquired and not necessarily the reinforcer that maintained bx
- immediate decrease, no extinction burst

Question 6

Does punishment lead to forgetting? Are its effects permanent? What does reinforcement afterwards do?

Answer 6

• punishment is suppression of bx ≠ forgetting/unlearning
• effects are temporary
• reinforcement leads to recovery of bx

Question 7

Unconditioned vs Conditioned Punishers

Answer 7

Unconditioned/Primary
- naturally painful or unpleasant
- biologically important
Conditioned/Secondary
- neutral stimulus that takes on punishing qualities
- some are indications that punishment will occur

Question 8

What is Threshold Effect?

Answer 8

An individual can develop tolerance to a noxious stimulus after repeatedly experiencing it

Question 9

What is Generalized Conditioned Punisher?

Answer 9

Paired with a variety of unconditioned punishers, e.g. the word “no”

Question 10

Variables that affect effectiveness of punishment

Answer 10

1. R-S contingency
2. R-S contiguity
3. Punishment intensity
4. How punishment is introduced: strong to weak
5. Reinforcers of problematic bx
6. Motivating Operations

Question 11

Problems of punishment

Answer 11

1. Negatively reinforced for punisher; can lead to over punishment
2. Results in escape or avoidance
3. Produces aggression
4. Apathy (generalized response suppression)
5. Abuse: levels needed may be abusive
6. Imitation of punisher - poor communication
7. Negative emotions paired with punisher

Question 12

Hierarchy of procedures of behavior reduction

Answer 12

Level 1: Differential Reinforcement
Level 2: Extinction of Problem bx
Level 3: Negative Punishment
Level 4: Positive Punishment

Question 13

Differential Reinforcement

Answer 13

• Differential Reinforcement of Low Rate (DRL)
• Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
• Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
• Differential Reinforcement of Zero Behavior (DRZ)

Question 14

What is Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)

Answer 14

• Reinforcing intervals of time where the behavior occurred less frequently while withholding reinforcement for intervals where it occurred more frequently
• Goal is to reduce frequency

Question 15

What is Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)?

Answer 15

Reinforcing desirable behavior that is topographically incompatible with problem behavior and withholding reinforcement with problem bx

Question 16

What is Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)?

Answer 16

• Reinforcing desirable alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement of problem bx
• Required accepted alternative behavior that serves same function as problem bx

Question 17

What is Differential Reinforcement of Zero Behavior (DRZ)?

Answer 17

• Also referred to as Other Behavior (DRO)
• Reinforces intervals where problem bx is absent while withholding reinforcement for intervals where it occurred