Psychology of Learning
EXP4404
Chapter 7: Punishment
Dr. Steve
Topics Covered
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Positive & Negative Punishment
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Contingency
Contiguity
Intensity
Opposing Reinforcers
Theories of Punishment
Problems with Punishment
Alternatives
Types of Punishment
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Positive Punishment (Type I)
Negative Punishment (Type II or Penalty
Training)
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Contingency
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Contiguity
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Punisher Intensity
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Progressive increase of intensity -
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Progressive increase of intensity -
Group 1 Mild Shock
Trial 1
Group 2
No Shock
Trial 1
335 volts
Trial 750
335 volts
Trial 750
Rats run at
same pace
Rats running
is inhibited
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Previous and Concurrent Reinforcement of
Punished Behavior
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Punishment works best when it is:
Variables Affecting Punishment
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Alternative Sources of Reinforcement –
Theories of Punishment
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Disruption Theory (Skinner & others) –
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Passive Avoidance type theory
Theories of Punishment
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Two Process Theory
Theories of Punishment
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One Process Theory (Thorndike & others) –
Law of Effect
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Premack Principle applied to punishment
Why Punish?
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Lovaas study with autistic children
400
No Punishment
Shock + “No”
“No”
Freq of 300
selfdestructive
acts
200
100
1
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Day
Criticisms of Punishment
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Skinner and others often opposed the use of
punishment because:
Problems with Punishment
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Escape/Avoidance
Aggression
Apathy
Abuse
Imitation of Punisher
Alternatives to Punishment
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Response Prevention
Extinction
Differential Reinforcement
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DR0 – differential reinforcement of zero responding
DRL – diff reinf of low rate
DRI – diff reinf of incompatible behavior
Reinforcement (pos or neg) vs
Punishment (Type I or II)?
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Police pulling drivers over and giving prices for buckling up
Suspending a basketball player for committing a flagrant foul
A soccer player rolls her eyes at a teammate who delivered a bad pass
A child snaps her fingers until her teacher calls on her
A hospital patient is allowed extra visiting time after eating a complete meal
Receiving a city utility discount for participating in a recycling program
Grounding a teenager until his or her homework is finished
Scolding a child for playing in the street
A prisoner loses TV privileges for one week for a rule violation
A parent nagging a child to clean up her room
A rat presses a lever to terminate a shock or a loud tone
A professor gives extra credit to students with perfect attendance
A dog is banished to his doghouse after soiling the living room carpet
A prisoner is “water boarded” until he confesses
A young child receives $5 for earning good grades in school
A mother smiles when her child utters “Mama”
A child is put into “time out” for misbehaving
Employee of the month gets a reserved parking space
At a party, a husband becomes sullen when his wife flirts with a colleague
A woman watching a football game offers her child candy to play quietly