Let’s learn about two critical behavioral concepts: Reinforcement and Punishment.
Reinforcement: Reinforcement is any stimulus change that occurs immediately after a behavior that increases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions. In simple language, we can say any event that strengthens the behavior is reinforcement. For example, Cat’s behavior is hitting the lever with a paw; the immediate consequence is that the door opens, and food is available. As a result, Cat will hit the lever again when put back in the cage. Here we can see Cat’s behavior of hitting the lever strengthen. Reinforcement has two subtypes. 1. Positive Reinforcement 2. Negative reinforcement Positive Reinforcement — When we say positive, it means adding something that adds a reinforcing stimulus; it can be anything like a high five, tickles, ice cream, iPad, candy, etc. Reinforcement means any event that strengthens the behavior, as we noted before. So, behavior is followed immediately by adding a reinforcing stimulus that increases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions. Example: Grace got a star sticker after finishing her homework. So, the behavior is Grace finishes the homework, and the reward is a star sticker. There are more chances that grace will finish her homework in the future. Non-Example: let’s suppose Katie experienced a tummy ache after consuming chocolate last week; therefore, she is not eating it anymore. Her behavior of eating chocolate weakens instead of strengthens, so it is not reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement — Negative means removal of something, something that removes aversive stimulus; it can be a pain, allergy, sunburn, loud alarm, etc. Any event that strengthens the behavior. Now the definition is more apparent. A behavior is followed immediately by removing an aversive stimulus that increases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions. Example: Sara has decided to go to the beach. But before stepping out, she applied sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned. Here the behavior is applying sunscreen and removing aversive stimulus avoids getting sunburned. In negative reinforcement, behavior allows you to escape from aversive stimuli that are already present or allows you to avoid the aversive stimuli before they happen entirely. Non-Example: Sam applied a low-brand sunscreen last week and got sunburns; as a result, he is not using sunscreen anymore. Even though he applied sunscreen, his behavior weakened, so it could not be reinforced.
Punishment: Any stimulus change occurs immediately after a behavior that decreases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions. Any event that weakens the behavior is Punishment. For example, Kathy’s behavior is reaching over the fence, and the dog’s immediate consequence is biting her. As a result, Kathy is less likely to go over the fence again. It has two subtypes 1. Positive Punishment 2. Negative Punishment Positive Punishment: A behavior is followed by adding an aversive stimulus that decreases the future frequency of the behavior in similar conditions. Example: Sam forgot to turn in his assignment on time, so the teacher gave him extra work. Sam would never forget to turn it in again in the future. It weakens his behavior. Non-Example: let’s suppose the police excused Peter for a speeding ticket. His behavior strengthens instead of weakens. So, it is not Punishment. Negative Punishment: A behavior is followed immediately by the removal of a reinforcing stimulus that decreases the future frequency of the behavior occurring again in similar conditions. Example: Daniel and Tim were fighting over a video game, and mom took away their video game. As a result, they are not fighting anymore. So here, behavior is fighting, and removing reinforcing stimulus is taking away their video game. Non-Example: let’s suppose Lucky was bored; he started playing a video game and turned up the loud volume; Mom took away the video game. Now lucky is always playing it loud. Even though mom took away the video, it strengthens Lucky’s behavior for playing it loud. So, it is not punishment.
Negative reinforcement and positive punishment can be quite confusing Let’s recall that negative means removing an aversive stimulus, and reinforcement means behavior increases. The addition of aversive stimulus and punishment means behavior decreases. The pictorial representation may help to address it better.
See the YouTube video for more details.
References:
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition). Pearson Education (US)
Miltenberger, R. G. (2012). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
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