Negative Reinforcement Versus Punishment

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Negative Reinforcement Versus Punishment

• Introduces differences between punishment and
  reinforcement with an emphasis on negative
  reinforcement

2

• Operant conditioning, when properly applied, can
  effectively modify the behavior of others.
• However, to apply a carrot and stick approach
  successfully, users must understand which
  consequences are available as carrots to
  strengthen desired behaviors and as sticks to
  weaken undesired behaviors.

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Negative Reinforcement Quiz

• 1. If you were asked for another word or phrase
  for negative reinforcement, what would you
  select?
• ________________________________
• 2. When you supply negative reinforcement, it
  usually results in
• _____ a. Weakening a behavior that you want
  weakened.
• _____ b. Strengthening a behavior that you want
  strengthened.

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• 3. Do people usually look forward to receiving
  negative reinforcement?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No
• 4. Do you anticipate regularly (consciously)
  supplying positive reinforcement to those you
  might manage in the future?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No
• 5. Do you anticipate regularly (consciously)
  supplying negative reinforcement to those you
  might manage in the future?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No

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Consequence Matrix Stimulus Type
Supply a Stimulus 
Remove a Stimulus Appetitive Stimulus (Something
desired)   Positive Reinforcement 
Time-out or


Punishment Aversive Stimulus

Negative (Something not desired) 
Punishment 
Reinforcement
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Negative Reinforcement Quiz

• 1. If you were asked for another word or phrase
  for negative reinforcement, what would you
  select?
• ________________________________
• 2. When you supply negative reinforcement, it
  usually results in
• _____ a. Weakening a behavior that you want
  weakened.
• _____ b. Strengthening a behavior that you want
  strengthened.

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• 3. Do people usually look forward to receiving
  negative reinforcement?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No
• 4. Do you anticipate regularly (consciously)
  supplying positive reinforcement to those you
  might manage in the future?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No
• 5. Do you anticipate regularly (consciously)
  supplying negative reinforcement to those you
  might manage in the future?
• _____ a. Yes _____ b. No

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• If you clean your room, you will no longer have
  to stay inside illustrates negative
  reinforcement.
• Because you did not clean your room, you will
  have to stay inside today illustrates
  punishment.
• The first statement says, If you do what I want
  (clean your room), I will remove an aversive
  stimulus (you no longer have to stay inside).
• The second statement says, Because you did not
  do what I want (clean your room), I will supply
  an aversive stimulus (you must stay inside).
• Other examples?

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• Negative reinforcement and punishment are used
  for entirely different purposes.
• Negative reinforcement strengthens behaviors,
  whereas punishment weakens behaviors