PSYC 301 Chapter 10: Chapter 10- The Principles of Learning and Behaviour (animal learning)
18 Apr 2018
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On the basis of a few experiments, thorndike and skinner concluded that punishment was not an effective method for controlling behaviour and only had temporary effects. This claim was not challenged until 1960s. With the appropriate punishment procedure, responding can be totally suppressed in just one or two trials. If punishment is misapplied, the suppression of behaviour may be incomplete and responding may recover and the procedure may have unintended collateral effects. Basic punishment procedure is simple: an aversive stimulus is presented after a target instrumental response if the procedure is effective, the target response becomes suppressed. Because punishment involves the suppression of behaviour, it can be observed only with responses that are likely to occur in the first place. Lab studies of punishment usually begin with a preliminary phase in which the target response is first established with positive reinforcement. Eg. a pigeon is reinforced with food for pecking a key response.
