Chapter 3. Reinforcers and Punishers

Learning Objectives

negative punishment
in operant conditioning, weakening a behavior by ending a pleasant event
positive reinforcement
in operant conditioning, strengthening a behavior by presenting a pleasant consequence
negative reinforcement
in operant conditioning, strengthening a behavior by ending an unpleasant event
punisher
in operant conditioning, an unpleasant consequence that decreases the frequency of the behavior it follows
operant conditioning
type of learning in which a behavior is influenced by the favorable or unfavorable consequences that follow it
reinforcer
in operant conditioning, a pleasant consequence that increases the frequency of the behavior it follows
positive punishment
in operant conditioning, weakening a behavior by presenting an unpleasant consequence
Reinforcers and Punishers
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Four images of the same man appear. Top left image: man is happy, says Woo hoo! and has R+ written on his shirt. Top right image: Man is covering face with hands, says Doh!, and has P- written on his shirt. Bottom left image: Man is wincing in pain, says Ouch!, and has P+ written on his shirt. Bottom right image: Man is sighing, says Phew!, and has R- written on his shirt.
Learning Objectives:

Distinguish between a reinforcer and a punisher.

Classify reinforcers and punishers as “positive” and “negative.”

Review

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1. Operant conditioning focuses on the consequences that follow a behavior, because those consequences determine whether that behavior becomes more frequent or less frequent.

3.0.1 Review

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2. A favorable or pleasant consequence is called a reinforcer, because it tends to reinforce or strengthen the behavior it follows. Reinforcers raise the probability that the behavior will occur again.

Four images of the same man appear. Top left image: man is happy, says Woo hoo! and has R+ written on his shirt. To the left is the word reinforcer. Top right image: Man is covering face with hands, says D'oh!, and has P- written on his shirt. Bottom left image: Man is wincing in pain, says Ouch!, and has P+ written on his shirt. Bottom right image: Man is sighing, says Phew!, and has R- written on his shirt. To the right is the word reinforcer.

3.0.2 Review

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3. On the other hand, an unfavorable or unpleasant consequence is called a punisher. Punishers weaken the behavior they follow and decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Four images of the same man appear. Top left image: man is happy, says Woo hoo! and has R+ written on his shirt. Top right image: Man is covering face with hands, says D'oh!, and has P- written on his shirt. To the right is the word punisher. Bottom left image: Man is wincing in pain, says Ouch!, and has P+ written on his shirt. To the left is the word punisher. Bottom right image: Man is sighing, says Phew!, and has R- written on his shirt.

3.0.3 Review

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4. In operant conditioningpositive refers to a consequence that begins something new, while negative refers to a consequence that ends something that is already happening.

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5. Beginning a pleasant event is positive reinforcement, and beginning an unpleasant event is positive punishment. Ending an unpleasant event is negative reinforcement, and ending a pleasant event is negative punishment.

positive reinforcement

negative punishment

positive punishment

negative reinforcement

Four images of the same man appear. Top left image: man is happy, says Woo hoo! and has R+ written on his shirt. This image is labeled positive reinforcement. Top right image: Man is covering face with hands, says D'oh!, and has P- written on his shirt. This image is labeled negative punishment. Bottom left image: Man is wincing in pain, says Ouch!, and has P+ written on his shirt. This image is labeled positive punishment. Bottom right image: Man is sighing, says Phew!, and has R- written on his shirt. This image is labeled negative > </div> <div class=

four images of the same young man. In the top left image he is happy and saying 'Woo hoo!" and has an R+ written on his shirt. To his left are the words "positive reinforcement". In the top right image he has his hands covering his face and is saying "D'oh!" with a P- written on his shirt. To his right are the words "negative punishment". In the bottom left image he is in pain and saying "Ouch!" with a P+ written on his shirt. To his left are the words "positive punishment". In the bottom right image he is relieved and saying "Phew!" with an R- written on his shirt. To his right are the words "negative reinforcement

Practice 1: Consequences Influence Behavior

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Practice 1: Consequences Influence Behavior

Roll over each item to see a brief description of that type of consequence.

In operant conditioning, the learner forms a link between a particular behavior and the consequences that follow the behavior. Pleasant consequences are reinforcers; they strengthen the behavior and make it more likely to occur in the future. Unpleasant consequences are punishers; they reduce the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Here are the four types of consequences. On the following screens you will see how each type of consequence influences the behavior of a rat in an operant conditioning chamber.

positive reinforcement

negative punishment

positive punishment

negative reinforcement

When the target behavior occurs, a pleasant event begins.
Example: After a child does his chores, his mother gives him ice cream. This makes it more likely that he will do his chores in the future.

When the target behavior occurs, a pleasant event ends.
Example: When a child starts whining, the parents turn off the television show the child was enjoying. This makes it less likely that the child will whine in the future.

When the target behavior occurs, an unpleasant event begins.
Example: A teen comes home three hours late, and her parents ground her for a week. This makes it less likely that she will come home late again.

When the target behavior occurs, an unpleasant event ends.
Example: A terrible sound stops after a person presses a button. This makes it more likely that the person will press the button the next time that sound begins.

Practice 2: Pleasant Event Begins

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Practice 2: Pleasant Event Begins

Select the PLAY button and watch what happens after the rat presses the bar.

Here is a rat in an operant conditioning chamber. The rat is hungry and is exploring the environment, looking for food. As the rat explores the bar or lever mounted in the wall, by chance the rat presses the bar. Select the PLAY button to see what happens next.

The bar-pressing behavior is followed by a pleasant consequence: the food dispenser opens and food is available for 10 seconds. What will happen to the frequency of the rat’s bar-pressing behavior?

The behavior will become more frequent. The appearance of the food is positive reinforcement for the bar press.

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Practice 3: Unpleasant Event Ends

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Practice 3: Unpleasant Event Ends

Select the PLAY button and watch what happens after the rat presses the bar.

An electric current has been connected to the metal floor of the chamber, giving the rat a painful shock. As the rat jumps around in panic, looking for a way to escape the shock, by chance the rat presses the bar. Select the PLAY button to see what happens next.

The bar-pressing behavior is followed by a pleasant consequence: the shock stops for 10 seconds. What will happen to the frequency of the rat’s bar-pressing behavior?

The behavior will become more frequent. The end of the shock is negative reinforcement for the bar press.

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Practice 4: Unpleasant Event Begins

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Practice 4: Unpleasant Event Begins

Select the PLAY button and watch what happens after the rat presses the bar.

Here is a rat in an operant conditioning chamber. The rat is hungry and is exploring the environment, looking for food. As the rat explores the bar or lever mounted in the wall, by chance the rat presses the bar. Select the PLAY button to see what happens next.

The bar-pressing behavior is followed by an unpleasant consequence: the floor of the chamber is connected to an electric current for 10 seconds, giving the rat a painful shock. What will happen to the frequency of the rat’s bar-pressing behavior?

The behavior will become less frequent. The onset of the shock is positive punishment for the bar press.

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Practice 5: Pleasant Event Ends

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Practice 5: Pleasant Event Ends

Select the PLAY button and watch what happens after the rat presses the bar.

The rat has eaten some of the food from the food dispenser, but is still exploring the environment. As the rat explores the bar or lever mounted in the wall, by chance the rat presses the bar. Select the PLAY button to see what happens next.

The bar-pressing behavior is followed by an unpleasant consequence; the food dispenser closes and the food is gone for 10 seconds. What will happen to the frequency of the rat’s bar-pressing behavior?

The behavior will become less frequent. The disappearance of the food is negative punishment for the bar press.

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Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each term to the gray area in the proper row and column. When all the terms have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.
Perhaps you should go back to review the types of consequences.
negative punishment
negative reinforcement
positive punishment
positive reinforcement

Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

Match the terms with the scenarios by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate gray circle. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Select the NEXT button and move to the Conclusion.
Perhaps you should go back to review the types of consequences.
positive reinforcement
negative reinforcement
positive punishment
negative punishment
Bibiana’s parents constantly nag her about cleaning her room. When she finally cleans her room, her parents stop nagging.
Whenever Bethany calls her brother a bad name, he pinches her arm.
Basir’s father praises him every time he practices the piano.
Ben didn’t get his homework done on time, so his parents took away his favorite video game.

Conclusion

Reinforcers and Punishers
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