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Using Punishment and Reinforcement to influence Teenagers

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One way to influence the behaviors of teenagers is to use punishment and reinforcement. Punishment and reinforcement refer to the act of operant conditioning where behavior results in consequences and using the consequence to influence the behavior of others.



You might wonder, what is the difference between punishment and reinforcement? Well, punishment works to decrease the chances of negative actions happening again, whereas reinforcement works to increase the chances of positive actions happening. In both punishment and reinforcement, there are negative punishment, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and positive reinforcement. Negative punishments and reinforcements work by removing something to encourage good behavior while positive punishment and reinforcement give something to encourage good behavior.

An example of positive reinforcement would be to reward your child when they get good grades in school; negative reinforcement would be to remove their curfew if they prove to be able to take responsibility through their actions. An example of positive punishment would be to make your child do extra chores if they break something; negative punishment would be to take away their car if they drink and drive.

Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner) How Reinforcement and Punishment Modify Behavior Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a method of learning normally attributed to B.F. Skinner, where the consequences of a response determine the probability of it being repeated. Through operant conditioning behavior which is reinforced (rewarded) will likely be repeated, and behavior which is punished will occur less frequently.

By the 1920s, John B. Watson had left academic psychology, and other behaviorists were becoming influential, proposing new forms of learning other than classical conditioning. The Study of Punishment in Psychology. Punishment is a term used in operant conditioning to refer to any change that occurs after a behavior that reduces the likelihood that that behavior will occur again in the future.

The Study of Punishment in Psychology

While positive and negative reinforcements are used to increase behaviors, punishment is focused on reducing or eliminating unwanted behaviors. Punishment is often mistakenly confused with negative reinforcement. The difference: Reinforcement increases the chances that a behavior will occur and punishment decreases the chances that a behavior will occur.

12 Examples of Positive Punishment & Negative Reinforcement. You might be thinking that “positive punishment” sounds like an oxymoron, after all, how can punishment be positive?

12 Examples of Positive Punishment & Negative Reinforcement

Not many people “like” punishment, right? The disconnect in understanding this concept comes from the usage of the word “positive;” here at PositivePsychology.com, we generally use the term “positive” to refer to things that are inherently good, things that are life-giving, and things that promote thriving and flourishing. 14 Best Examples Of Operant Conditioning. Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a method of learning that employs punishments and rewards for behavior.

14 Best Examples Of Operant Conditioning

In this method, a link is established between a behavior and a consequence (whether positive or negative) for that behavior. For example, when a monkey presses a button when a LED is on, he receives a banana as a reward. When he presses the button when the LED is off, he receives a mild electric shock. As a result, he learns to press the button when the LED is on and avoids it when the LED is off.

How to Get Your Desired Behaviour Using Operant Conditioning. There are two types of reinforcement: positive and negative.

How to Get Your Desired Behaviour Using Operant Conditioning

You may have had moments where one of these forms of reinforcement worked well for you, while another stirred up feelings of shame or resentment. Have you ever rewarded a child with candy for good behavior? That is an example of positive reinforcement. Different reinforcement methods will lead to different experiences and behavior. “If you want a different result you have to choose a different behaviour.” – Dr. Operant Conditioning - Negative Reinforcement vs Positive Punishment. Operant Conditioning. Learning: Negative Reinforcement vs. Punishment.