Topic 6: Punishment Flashcards
Punishment
the process in which a behavior is followed by a consequence that results in a decrease in the future probability of the behavior
Punisher
a stimulus or event that, when presented contingent on the occurrence of a behavior, decreases the future probability of the behavior
Positive Punishment
a type of punishment in which, contingent on the behavior, an aversive stimulus or event is presented and the probability of the behavior decreases in the future
Negative Punishment
a type of punishment in which the occurrence of a behavior is followed by the removal of a reinforcing stimulus, it results in decrease in the future probability of the behavior
Time-Out From Positive Punishment
a type of negative punishments in which, contingent with the occurrence of the problem behavior, the person loses access to positive reinforcers for a brief period
typically, the person is removed from the reinforcing environment in a time-out procedure
Response Cost
a negative punishment procedure in which, contingent on a behavior, a specified amount of a reinforcer is removed
Unconditioned Punishers
a stimulus or event that is naturally punishing because avoiding or minimizing contact with such a stimulus has survival value
no prior conditioning is needed for an unconditioned punisher to function as a punisher
examples are painful stimuli or extreme level of stimulation
Conditioned Punisher
a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired a number of times with an established punisher and consequently functions as a punsiher itself
Generalized Conditioned Punisher
a conditioned punisher that has been paired with a variety of other punishers
the word “no” is a generalized conditioned punisher for many people
What is punishment?
the process in which the consequence of a behavior weakens the behavior
behavior is less likely to occur in the future (frequency), or occurs more slowly (latency)
behaviors are punished, people aren’t
punishment is not the same as revenge
What is a punisher?
a stimulus, object, or event that weakens behavior; often is an aversive (unpleasant) stimulus
e.g. your dog poops on the floor, you give him a slap: punishment is giving the slap, the punisher is the pain
What is positive punishment?
a situation in which presentation of aversive stimulus decreases behavior
e.g. squirting lemon juice into the mouth of a 4-year-old who frequently bit other children and her teacher
What is the application of aversive activities?
requires the individual to perform an aversive activity as a consequence from inappropriate behavior
How does the Premack principle apply to punishment?
making a person engage in a non-preferred behavior can serve as positive punishment for performing a more-preferred behavior)
What is the application of aversive stimulation?
punishes behavior by delivering an aversive stimulus
e.g. getting an electric shock from device when you reach for a cigarette
What is negative punishment?
a situation in which removal of an appetitive stimulus decreases behavior
e.g. music played in a cafeteria during lunchtime would be turned off for 10 seconds if the noise level reached a certain dB level
What is a time-out from positive reinforcement?
removes the individual from a reinforcing environment as a consequence for inappropriate behavior
e.g. being grounded after violating your curfew
What is response cost?
punishes behavior by taking away a valued item or privilege
e.g. having to pay a fine after parking illegally
What are the differences between reinforcement and punishment?
by definition, reinforcement increases behavior and punishment decreases behavior
negative reinforcement is not the same as positive punishment
a “punisher” (aversive stimulus) that is removed causes opposite effects compared to a “punisher” that is presented
What are the differences between extinction and punishment?
in extinction. the reinforcer that is maintaining behavior is withheld
in negative punishment, a reinforcer is taken away (or access to it is not allowed); this reinforcer is not necessarily the same reinforcer that is maintaining behavior
extinction: child swears –> parents do not give child attention/ignore child
negative punishment: child swears –> child loses $1 of allowance
extinction produces gradual reduction in behavior, punishment is more immediate
What is an unconditioned (primary) punisher?
stimulus or event that is naturally aversive (i.e. bot due to prior conditioning or learning); may have “biological importance”: harmful effects or affect survival
e.g. pain due to electric shock, bright lights, loud sounds
What are conditioned (or secondary) punisher?
previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned punisher, and thus also acts as a punisher
e.g. reprimands, threats, warnings
What is a generalized conditioned punisher?
conditioned punisher that has been paired with a number of other punishers
e.g. hearing the word “no”
How does immediacy effect punishment?
punishment is most effective when it follows immediately after the behavior
e.g. roadside speed traps (immediate citations) are more effective than traffic enforcement cameras (citations come in the mail several days later)
How does contingency effect punishment?
punishment is most effective when it follows every behavior
inadvertent reinforcement that occurs during punishment –> behavior increases
e.g. in reprimanding a child for screaming, the parent gives the child attention, which they want; this strengthens the screaming behavior
What are motivating operations (MOs)?
events that can (temporarily) alter the effectiveness of punishment, and thus affect behavior
What are establishing operations (EOs)?
establishes/increases the effectiveness of punishment
e.g. roadside speed trap located in high-traffic area where others will see you being pulled over
What are abolishing operations (AOs)?
decreases the effectiveness of punishment
e.g. adding sweetener to lemon juice squirted into the mouth
How do verbal explanations effect punishment?
giving reason for delivery of punishment may enhance its effects
How do individual differences punishment?
particular conditioned punishment depends on an individual’s past history, which varies from person to person
How does the magnitude affect punishment?
a more intense stimulus is more likely to function as a punisher
e.g. very weak lemon juice solution versus high concentrated solution
however, punishers of extreme intensity do not have a greater effect on behavior
What are the pros of punishment?
works rapidly
behavior that may be resistant to other forms of treatment may respond to punishment
there are may beneficial side-effects, such as generalization to other behaviors
may lead to complete suppression of the unwanted behavior
What are the cons of punishment?
may cause undesirable emotional or aggressive responses
may cause escape and avoidance responses, these can be strengthened if they create negative reinforcement (removal of punisher)
may induce overuse in the person administering it, due to it producing negative reinforcement
modeling: individual subjected to the punishment may (rarely) learn to use punishment to control others
ethical issues: punishment may violate institutional policies or laws, or may be inhumane
