Punishment is a concept in psychology that refers to a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior happening again. It is a key part of operant conditioning, developed by B. F. Skinner.
Simple definition
Punishment is any consequence that makes a behavior less likely to be repeated.
Types of punishment
- Positive punishment (adding something unpleasant)
- An unpleasant consequence is added after a behavior.
- Example:
- A child misbehaves and receives a scolding.
- A driver speeds and gets a traffic ticket {Chalan}.
- Negative punishment (removing something pleasant)
- Something desirable is taken away after a behavior.
- Example:
- A teenager breaks a rule and loses phone privileges.
- A child misbehaves and is not allowed to watch TV.
Difference from reinforcement
| Reinforcement | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Increases a behavior | Decreases a behavior |
| Encourages repetition | Discourages repetition |
Example
- A student studies and receives praise → Reinforcement (study behavior increases).
- A student cheats and receives detention → Punishment (cheating behavior decreases).
Source
The concept comes primarily from:
- B. F. Skinner
- The Behavior of Organisms
- Science and Human Behavior
Main lesson
Punishment is a consequence that reduces the probability that a behavior will occur again. It can involve either adding an unpleasant consequence or removing a pleasant one.
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