Just because it is often misused doesn't mean it has to be. A Brief Introduction to Operant Conditioning . This is more of a problem when the aversive stimulus used is mild. It is not as clear of a source of information as is reinforcement.
Reinforcement provides the organism with more information than does punishment.
The mechanism by which this occurs is called classical conditioning. It should follow the occurrence of the undesired behavior immediately. It must be consistent. It should occur each and every time the undesired behavior occurs. An alternative behavior should be made available which can be reinforced.