If you were used to having a good thing happen after a behavior, the absence of that consequence would probably result in a reduction of the behavior. Since this decreases the response, we could call it punishment. Taking away the reinforcer until the behavior goes away is also refereed to as Extinction of the response. GOOD Positive Reinforcement Increases Response Negative Punishment Extinction Decreases Response BAD Positive Punishment Decreases Response Negative Reinforcement Increases Response You may click on the words in the table to return to the explaination of that term in the text. Exercises Now for a little practice in applying these terms to real life situations.
Mothers often take their young children along to the grocery store.
When the child is very young, it isn't usually too much trouble. As the child gets older and can react to the sight of candy and other treats in the store, mothers often find it difficult to manage the child s behavior. Kiki is strapped into the grocery cart. As they round the corner of the candy isle, Kiki begins to cry and reach out of the cart. Mrs. Smith grabs a bag of jelly beans and tosses it into the cart.