Punishment
Also called: punisher, positive punishment, negative punishment
Definition
A contingency in which a consequence follows a response and the future frequency of that response decreases. As with reinforcement, the term is defined strictly by its effect on behavior and carries no implication about intent, severity, or moral judgment.
In plain language
Something happens right after a behavior, and the person does that behavior less often from then on. In this field the word says nothing about whether the consequence was harsh.
Examples
A person touches a hot pan, feels pain, and does not touch pans without checking again.
The consequence followed the response and the response decreased.
Screen time ends when a game is thrown, and throwing drops sharply over the next two weeks.
Something was removed and the behavior decreased.
Not punishment
A supervisor reprimands a learner repeatedly and the behavior continues at the same rate. If behavior does not decrease, no punishment has occurred by this definition.
Attention delivered after a behavior that then increases. That is reinforcement, even if the attention was a scolding.
Commonly confused with
See also
Written from
- baer-wolf-risley-1968
Written from the standard operant framework. No textbook glossary consulted or paraphrased.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.