Reinforcement and Punishment

What is Reinforcement?

• Presenting or removal of a stimulus to decrease the likelihood that a behaviour would occur again

• Presenting or removal of a stimulus to increase the likelihood that a behaviour would occur again

• A condition in which a person has gone without a particular reinforcer for a period of time

• States a behaviour that produces a favourable effect on the environment will be more likely to be repeated in the future

What is Punishment?

• Gradual removal of prompts

• The process in which a previously reinforced behaviour is no longer followed by reinforcing consequences, resulting in decrease of behaviour

• The process in which a behaviour is followed by a consequence that results in the decrease of the likelihood that behaviour would occur again

• Increases likelihood behaviour will occur in the future

What is the difference between Positive and Negative Punishment?

• Positive Punishment is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus

• Positive Punishment is followed by the presentation of an aversive stimulus

• Negative Punishment is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus

• Both involve result in behaviours less likely to occur in the future

Karl used to complain regularly that he was bored. When Karl complained of boredom, he was asked to mow the lawn. As a result, Karl now rarely complains of being bored. This is an example of _________.

• Positive Punishment

• Negative Punishment

• Positive Reinforcement

• Negative Reinforcement

Mark has a really bad headache. He takes some Tylenol and his headache goes away. The next time he has a headache, he takes Tylenol. Mark's behavior of taking Tylenol when he has a headache is an example of________.

• Positive Reinforcement

• Negative Reinforcement

• Positive Punishment

• Negative Punishment