REINFORCEMENT AND PUNISHMENT

Reinforcement occurs with either the presentation, or removal, of something good or the presentation, or removal, of something unpleasant. Whenever something is presented, it is called positive. Presenting something good, positive reinforcement, increases (or strengthens) a behavior. Presenting something unpleasant, punishment, decreases (or weakens) a behavior. In a sense, you could think of this as “positive punishment,” the presentation of something unpleasant. Thus, if a basketball player is given praise for executing well, this is positive reinforcement (something good is given). If the player must run laps for an error, this is “positive”punishment (something unpleasant is given).

Alternatively, when something is taken, or removed, we use the term negative. When something good is taken away, it is punishment and it decreases or weakens a response. You could think of it as “negative punishment,” the taking away of something good. For example, a child loses TV watching privileges for misbehaving. When the action is the removal of something unpleasant, it is called negative reinforcement and its application is likely to increase or strengthen a behavior. For example, a rat will press a lever to turn off an unpleasantly loud tone or you get faster at turning off your annoying alarm clock in the morning.

Note that “positive” and “negative” do not mean “good” and “bad.” Positive reinforcement refers to giving something good to increase the likelihood of a behavior and negative reinforcement is taking away something bad to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Punishment, the presentation of something unpleasant, or the removal of something good discourages or weakens a behavior. These terms can be confusing, perhaps the table below will help to clarify.

PLEASING STIMULUS / ANNOYING STIMULUS
PRESENT /

Positive Reinforcement

increases responses
Example: homework followed by praise / (Positive) Punishment
decreases responses
Example: a scolding following bad behavior
REMOVE / (Negative) Punishment
decreases responses
Example: TV privileges are taken, because of bad behavior /

Negative Reinforcement

increases responses
Example: smoking cigarettes reduces anxiety