Two rectangular boxes are at the top left and right corners of the infographic. A traffic signal on the left box turns green. The text beside the traffic signal reads YES! It’s Nascar! You have to drive faster than anyone else to win. We will apply a reinforcer to increase the behavior.
A Traffic signal light on the right rectangular turns red. The text beside the traffic signal reads NO! We’re not at the racetrack! Speeding is dangerous and against the law. We will apply a punishment to decrease the behavior.
An illustration below the left box shows a starting point that reads reinforcement, a green and white checked flag, and a green car. The car is on a road that splits into 2, the left diversion shows negative signs and is labeled negative reinforcement. Text reads: You don’t like working in the family auto-body shop. Your family says you can work fewer hours if you win the next race. Taking away unwanted work increases the speeding behavior. A photo shows a spanner with cross mark. The right diversion shows plus signs and is labeled positive reinforcement. Text reads: You win a trophy and a cash prize for going fast at the race. Adding desirable rewards increases your speeding behavior. A photo of tournament champion cup and American dollars are shown.
An illustration below the right box shows a starting point that reads: punishment. A sign board that reads speed limit 25 and a red car is shown at the starting point. The car is on a road that splits into 2, the left diversion shows negative signs and is labeled negative punishment. Text reads: The police officer confiscates your license. Taking away something desirable decreases your speeding behavior. A photo shows a driving license with a notification suspended over it. The right diversion shows positive signs and is labeled positive punishment. Text reads: The police officer gives you a citation. Adding something undesirable decreases your speeding behavior. A photo shows a traffic policeman writing on his notepad.
A section titled, test yourself, is at the bottom of the infographic. Text beside the title reads: Which process matches each of the following examples? Choose from positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment.
1, Carlos’ parents grounded him the last time he stayed out past his curfew, so tonight he came home right on time.
2, Jinhee spent an entire week helping an elderly neighbor clean out her basement after a flood. The local newspaper caught wind of the story and ran it as an inspiring front-page headline. Jinhee enjoyed the attention and decided to organize a neighborhood work group.
3, The trash stinks, so Sheri takes it out.
4, Gabriel’s assistant had a bad habit of showing up late for work, so Gabriel docked his pay.
5, During food drives, the basketball team offers to wash your car for free if you donate six items or more to the local homeless shelter.
6, Claire received a stern lecture for texting in class. She doesn’t want to hear that again, so now she turns off her phone when she enters the classroom.
Answers. 1, Negative punishment, 2, Positive reinforcement, 3, Negative reinforcement, 4, Negative punishment, 5, Positive reinforcement, 6, Positive punishment.