B.5 Identify and distinguish between positive and negative punishment contingencies

Reinforcers and punishments are stimuli that influence behavior by either increasing or decreasing the likelihood of its occurrence. Punishments specifically reduce the probability of a behavior being repeated and can be classified as positive or negative.

Contingencies describe the relationship between a behavior and its consequence. They are the framework for understanding how reinforcers and punishments work.

• Operant Contingencies: Behavior produces its own consequence.

  • Example: A child studies for a test and earns a good grade, increasing the likelihood of studying in the future.

• Responding Contingencies: Behavior is followed by a stimulus not directly caused by the behavior.

  • Example: A person touches a hot object and feels pain, making it less likely they’ll touch it again.

Positive Punishment Adds something undesirable after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Examples: A child screams in class, and the teacher assigns extra homework. A dog barks excessively, and the owner sprays it with water. A person drives drunk, and the police issue a ticket. 🔑Key Idea: Positive punishment involves adding a stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment Removes something desirable after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Examples: A child doesn’t do their homework, and the parents take away their cell phone. A student misbehaves, and the teacher revokes recess privileges. A worker arrives late, and the boss suspends them. 🔑Key Idea: Negative punishment involves removing a stimulus to decrease a behavior

Type	Key Action	Purpose
Positive Punishment	Adds	Decrease the behavior
Negative Punishment	Removes a desirable stimulus	Decrease the behavior

Additional Observations

1. Grades to Remember:

   • Positive: Add something.

   • Negative: Remove something.

   • Punishment: Decreases behavior.

2. Punishments vs. Reinforcers:

   • Reinforcers encourage behaviors (e.g., praise, rewards).

   • Punishments discourage behaviors (e.g., fines, withdrawal of privileges).

3. Negative Punishment and Reinforcement Withdrawal:

   • Negative punishment often involves taking away something positive (e.g., removing a phone) to discourage a behavior.