Punishment

In behavior analysis, punishment is any consequence that makes a behavior less likely to happen again. Something is added after the behavior (positive punishment), or something the person likes is taken away (negative punishment). Behavior analysts use reinforcement-based approaches first.

Four Basic Types of Punishment

Time Out –is the removal of the child from positive stimuli. However, it is important to ensure that the motivation behind the behavior that one hopes to decrease is made clear to the individual before a time out is considered.

Example: When a child does not want to participate in the activity, he might like to scream. If he will be given a time out or removed from the scene, it will actually teach him to do the same thing next time as it was successful in taking him out of the undesirable activity the first time.

Extinction – is not technically punishment: it is withholding the reinforcer that kept a behavior going, so the behavior stops paying off. Extinction can be difficult to implement but is often successful at decreasing or even eliminating behaviors. However, an increase in undesirable behavior will likely occur when the method is first employed. Vigilance and patience are essential for the method to be effective.

Example: A parent gives a child his favorite cookie every day and puts it on the table for him to get. But one day she puts it on the top shelf, where it is impossible for him to reach. The child will try and try to get it, even up to the extent of making ways to reach it. Until the time comes that he just does not try to get the cookie anymore.

Response Cost – is the loss of a reinforcer the person already has, such as a token or points, after an undesirable behavior. It is often used inside a token economy.

Example: in a token system, a child loses one token each time he hits, and he can still trade the tokens he keeps for a reward at the end of the session.

Caution must be observed when using the token economy system. It is a very valuable tool in teaching yet can be a bit difficult in winning the trust of a child. It can confuse and greatly upset the child and can lead him to no longer trust the system.

Aversive Stimuli – are the least used form of stimuli as they are considered negative stimuli, which are introduced after an undesirable behavior. A reprimand is one example. Physical punishment such as spanking is harmful and is not part of ABA practice. As a general rule, aversive stimuli should be avoided especially in school settings, as they often do more harm than good.

Aversive stimuli may backfire as they may suppress good behavior and encourage avoidance, bad behavior, escape and strain the relationship between child and adult.

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