Which action best illustrates positive punishment?

Which action best illustrates positive punishment?

• A. Loosening pressure after compliance
• B. Withholding food after misbehavior
• C. Giving praise after a trick
• D. Leash correction, hitting, shock, yelling

Answer: (D)

Positive punishment means adding something aversive right after an undesired behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior happening again. The option that describes leash correction, hitting, shock, or yelling fits this idea because it introduces an unpleasant consequence immediately after the behavior in an effort to stop it. In contrast, loosening pressure after compliance is removing an aversive stimulus to encourage the desired behavior (negative reinforcement). Withholding food after misbehavior takes away a desirable stimulus to decrease the behavior (negative punishment). Giving praise after a trick adds a reward to increase that behavior (positive reinforcement). So the example that adds an aversive consequence to discourage the behavior is the one that demonstrates positive punishment.

Positive punishment means adding something aversive right after an undesired behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior happening again. The option that describes leash correction, hitting, shock, or yelling fits this idea because it introduces an unpleasant consequence immediately after the behavior in an effort to stop it.

In contrast, loosening pressure after compliance is removing an aversive stimulus to encourage the desired behavior (negative reinforcement). Withholding food after misbehavior takes away a desirable stimulus to decrease the behavior (negative punishment). Giving praise after a trick adds a reward to increase that behavior (positive reinforcement).

So the example that adds an aversive consequence to discourage the behavior is the one that demonstrates positive punishment.