Reinforcements & Punishments By Valerie Crigger 6/28/12

Key ConceptsThe concepts being presented in this power point help to make up and support the theory of Operant Conditioning. I will define and hopefully prepare you with a better understanding of the theory. Get ready to learn!!!

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement works by presenting a motivating item to the person after the desired behavior is exhibited, making the behavior more likely to happen in the future.

Example: When your teenager comes home with their report card for every six weeks they earn $10.00 for an A and $5.00 for a B (motivating the teenager to keep up the good grades for the great pay at the finish line)

Negative Reinforcement

An unpleasant stimulus added when removed leads to a greater chance that the response will be repeated.

Example: You wake up early on Saturday morning to beat the breakfast crowd at your favorite restaurant. The following Saturday you do the same, both Saturdays you have successfully missed the crowd so you will repeat this every Saturday for as long as you wish

Positive Punishment

A attempt to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future

Example: Say you have a pet snake and you decide to stroke it’s head the snake hisses at you as a warning that it did not like what you just did this is a positive punishment

Negative Punishment

Negative punishment is the removal of something pleasant to decrease the likelihood of the behavior occurring again.

Example: A student back talks their teacher and loses the privilege of snack time at 9:30 Am everyday for a week the removal of the once pleasant snack time acts at the punisher thus hoping to decrease the chance of the behavior to occur again.

The End