PSY E243 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Psy, Behaviorism, Habituation
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Reinforcement: when a behavior results in an improved state of affairs. Positive: the addition of something desirable i. e. getting on dean"s list, parents buy you a car. Negative: the removal of something aversive i. e. pledges being good for a week, gaining bus privileges back. Punishment: when a behavior results in worsened state of affairs. Positive: the addition of something aversive i. e. spanking your child after they misbehave. Negative: the removal of something desirable i. e. failing exam, parents taking phone away. May seem like a good idea, but often doesn"t work. You don"t just say don"t let this happen again , you want to instruct them as to what they should do instead. Be clear about the specific behavior and situation that was undesirable. Unlikely that that behavior is universally unacceptable. Punishment must be prompt and consistent. i. e. coming home to a mess made by a puppy, if you immediately swat the puppy away.
