Positive Punishment And Negative Punishment: How Do They Work?
People behave differently depending on the situation. We try to adapt our behavior to the situations we live in, so that it is adaptive in the natural and social environment. However, in some cases, different behaviors that are maladaptive to us they do not adapt or allow good coexistence or they make relationships between peers difficult.
Sometimes it may be necessary to modify these behaviors. Two of the most basic procedures when modifying behaviors, especially when reducing their frequency, are positive punishment and negative punishment How do they work?
Punishment is a type of behavior modification technique based on behaviorism, specifically on operant conditioning, which is based on the fact that the performance of a behavior and its frequency is influenced by the consequences that said behavior has.
If a behavior results in the administration of some type of reinforcer desired or the avoidance or withdrawal of an aversive stimulus, the behavior will become more frequent, while if instead the consequence is the appearance of aversive stimulation or the withdrawal of reinforcing stimuli, the behavior will tend to decrease.
In the case of punishment, we would be faced with a type of procedure through which it is intended influence the frequency of a behavior to cause a decrease in it or its complete elimination.
There are two types of punishment depending on whether they act through the administration of aversive stimuli or the elimination of positive stimulation: positive punishment and negative punishment respectively. In both cases the punishment must be applied contingently to the behavior to be reduced so that it can be considered a consequence of the action.
Positive punishment is one in which an aversive stimulus is applied to the subject when performing a specific behavior, making the stimulus a consequence of its performance, so that the individual reduces the frequency or stops performing the behavior in question.
Thus, the basic mechanism of positive punishment is to present an unpleasant stimulus every time the person does the unwanted behavior. It is recommended that stimulations be used consistently, so that the behavior is always followed by the consequence. Behavior modification occurs as a way for the subject to avoid or escape aversive stimulation
Positive punishment is a procedure on which various techniques are based, such as the set of aversive therapies (electrical, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, auditory, chemical or covert), satiation as a massive practice in different addictive disorders, overcorrection or the face screen.
Negative Punishment
The basic functioning of negative punishment is based on the withdrawal of a desired stimulus and reinforcement by the subject when carrying out a specific behavior, so that the subject reduces its frequency in prevention of said loss.
In short, in negative punishment something that the person wants is taken away every time they do the unwanted behavior. In this sense, it is necessary to take into account that the stimulus to withdraw is meaningful for the person otherwise it would have no effect.
Procedures based on negative punishment include techniques such as time-out, response cost, and are part of others such as the contingency contract.
Uses and considerations regarding the effectiveness of these techniques
Both positive punishment and negative punishment have been applied in various contexts. They are applied in clinical practice, education the business world or even at a legal level (legal sanctions can be considered positive or negative punishments).
Both types of punishment are procedures that are successful in reducing or even extinguishing behaviors quite quickly. If you choose your application, must be executed consistently and contingent on the conduct and proportional to the severity of the conduct.
However, it must be taken into account that the change they produce is usually only superficial and based on fear of punishment, not generating a true change in attitudes in most cases.
Furthermore, it can cause fear to become generalized and cause fear towards the person or institution that applies the punishment, as well as resentment towards this Relationships with the person who applies the punishment, then, can worsen substantially, in the worst of cases. The feeling of control and self-esteem also worsens if the causes of the punishment or what to do to act correctly are not understood.
Domjan, M. & Burkhard, B. (1990). Principles of learning and behavior. Debate. Madrid.
Labrador FJ; Cruzado FJ & López, M. (2005). Manual of behavior modification and therapy techniques. Pyramid: Madrid.
