Behaviour Modification

Example

CLARIFYING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT AND PUNISHMENT

It is important to remember that negative reinforcement is a way of strengthening desired behaviour by removing something undesirable. This procedure increases the frequency of a response.

In contrast, punishment involves the presentation of an aversive stimulus or the removal of a pleasant stimulus. This procedure decreases the frequency of the immediately preceeding response.

PUNISHMENT AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT ARE OFTEN CONFUSED BUT ARE QUITE DIFFERENT:

REINFORCEMENT STRENGTHENS BEHAVIOUR.
PUNISHMENT WEAKENS BEHAVIOUR

SHOCK IS BOTH PUNISHMENT AND NR:

COMPLAINING SERVES AS BOTH PUNISHMENT AND NR: