Positive Punishment
Also called: type I punishment
Definition
A decrease in the future frequency of a behavior produced by the presentation of a stimulus immediately after it. "Positive" refers to something being added, not to anything pleasant. Like all punishment it is defined by its effect on behavior, and its use in practice is restricted, supervised and a last resort.
In plain language
A behavior happens less because something was added right after it. Positive means added, not good.
Example
A child touches a hot stove, feels pain, and does not touch it again. The pain was added and the behavior dropped.
Not positive punishment
Losing screen time after hitting. Something was taken away, so if hitting drops this is negative punishment.
Commonly confused with
See also
Written from
- azrin-holz-1966
Written from Azrin and Holz (1966). No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.