(6-28-21)
Punishment is usually defined as the presentation of an aversive stimulus or the withdrawl of a positive reinforcing stimulus
Punishment suppresses behavior it follows
- degree of suppression depends of strenth/intensity of punishing stimulus, contingency relationship with behavior, and response strength of behavior being punished
- maximum suppression occurs with punishment for every instance of the behavior, punishment immediately following the behavior, punishment at maximum intensity
Punishment does not weak response strength
Punishment often leads to “side effects”
- emotional behavior (fear, anxiety, negative feelings toward punisher [unless extreme in which case “paradoxical” attachment may occur]
- generates escape/avoidance behavior
- models aversive control
- guilt in punishing agent, which often lead to ineffective use of punishment
Punishment used in therapy
- negative attention
- response cost
- limon juice therapy, facial screening
- response contingent, painful electric shock
- time out from positive reinforcement