Reinforcement and punishment are processes that influence behavior. Reinforcement uses stimuli to increase the likelihood a behavior will be repeated, either through adding a pleasant stimulus (positive reinforcement) or removing an unpleasant one (negative reinforcement). Punishment decreases the probability a behavior will occur again, either by adding an unpleasant stimulus (positive punishment) or taking away a pleasant one (negative punishment). Examples of each are provided.
2. Reinforcement
Reinforcement is the process by
which a stimulus increases the
probability that a preceding behavior
will be repeated.
3. Negative Reinforcement
An unpleasant stimulus whose
removal leads to an increase in the
probability that a preceding will be
repeated in the future.
Example: Turning down music if the
volume is too loud.
4. Positive Reinforcement
A stimulus added to the environment that
brings about an increase in a preceding
response.
Example: Receiving a pay check at the end of
the week increases the likelihood that you will
return to work.
5. Punishment
A stimulus that decreases the probability that
a previous behavior will occur again.
6. Positive Punishment
Weakens a
response through
the application of
an unpleasant
stimulus
Example:
Spending time in
jail after
committing a
crime.
7. Negative Punishment
Removing of something
pleasant
Example: When a child is
grounded and cannot have
friends over because of bad
grades, she will bring her
grades up because of this
punishment.
