Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Let's breakdown reinforcement and punishment.

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future. Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a stimulus (adding something to the environment) that increases the future frequency of the behavior. Example 1: A child cleaning their room and receiving allowance for cleaning their room. This would be positive reinforcement, if the child cleans their room again in the future to get money. Example 2: Johnny gets a token on his token board for keeping his hands to himself every 2 minutes. When Johnny has 6 tokens he will be able to read his favorite Pete the Cat book.

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the withdrawal of a stimulus (removing something aversive from the environment) that increases the future frequency of the behavior. Example 1: Kelly has a sunburn that itches and burns, she puts aloe on her sunburn. The sunburn stops itching and doesn't burn anymore. Example 2: The student rips up his worksheet, the worksheet is taken away and the student doesn't have to do it. Ripping up his paper increases in the future.

Punishment decreases the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future.

Positive punishment occurs when a behavior is followed by a presentation of a stimulus (adding something to the environment) that decreases the future frequency of the behavior. Example 1: A child hits their sibling and the mother says "No!". Example 2: A child is biting himself on the hand, the mother puts a glove on his hand which decrease hand biting in the future.

Negative punishment occurs when a behavior is followed by the withdrawal of a stimulus (removing something aversive from the environment) that decreases the future frequency of the behavior. Example 1: A student is blurting out in class, the teacher ignores that student taking away attention. The student's blurting out behavior decreases. Example 2: A child is throwing blocks during playtime, the mother takes blocks away and starts a timer for 7 minutes. The child stops throwing blocks in the future.