| | Discriminative Stimulus | Operant Response | Consequence | Effect on Future Behavior |
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| Definition | The environmental stimulus that precedes an operant response | The actively emitted or voluntary behavior | The environmental stimulus or event that follows the operant response | Reinforcement increases the likelihood of operant being repeated; punishment or lack of reinforcement decreases the likelihood of operant being repeated. |
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| Examples | Wallet on college sidewalk | Give wallet to security | $50 reward from wallet’s owner | Positive reinforcement: More likely to turn in lost items to authorities |
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| | Gas gauge almost on “empty” | Fill car with gas | Avoid running out of gas | Negative reinforcement: More likely to fill car when gas gauge shows empty |
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| | Informal social situation at work | Tell an off-color, sexist joke | Formally reprimanded for sexism and inappropriate workplace behavior | Positive punishment: Less likely to tell off-color, sexist jokes in workplace |
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| | ATM | Insert bank card | Broken ATM machine eats your bank card and doesn’t dispense cash | Negative punishment: Less likely to use that ATM in the future |
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