Punishment

Part of Learning theory

1. Punishment Dr. Sachin Nepali JR-1

2. Last Class discussion: Escape and Avoidance learning Type Features Escape Learning Responses with latencies greater than 5 sec Avoidance Learning Responses with latencies less than 5 sec

3. Introduction O ne of the techniques used in Instrumental conditioning Punisher It is a stimulus or event which, when its onset is contingent on a response, decreases the likelihood that the response will occur again. Response followed by punishers tend not to be repeated i.e , here the punishers is used to supress /stop a response from occuring in the future.

4. Punishment (decrease behaviour ) Negative Punishment Removing pleasant stimulus Positive Punishment Adding unpleasant stimulus Yelling at child if he/she runs in the street Paying fines when violating traffic rules

5. Negative Punishment A teenager comes home late during evening and the parents take away a privilege, such as cell phone usage. If the frequency of the child coming home late decreases , the privilege is gradually restored . The removal of the phone is negative punishment because the parents are taking away a pleasant stimulus (the phone) and motivating the child to return home earlier . A child throws a temper tantrum because they want ice cream . His/her mother subsequently ignores him/her, making it less likely the child will throw a temper tantrum in the future when they want something. The removal of attention from his mother is a negative punishment because a pleasant stimulus (attention) is taken away.

6. Why Punishment is important? It will promote the learning of what not to do L earning not to play with fire, not to steal, not to exceed the speed limit. Parents and society try to teach the dont’s through the use of positive reinforcement and punishment and often through punishment alone

7. When does punishment Work ? The more intense the punishment, the more effective it often is Mild punishment tend to supress behavior temporarily, i.e the punished behaviour will return soon unless intense punishment is used. Eg ; Roberry But it might carries the risk that strong conditioned emotional responses will be developed, with the punisher as CS. If the punisher is a parent that is as unfortunate situation. Thus mild punishment to guide behaviour may be most effective in the long run

8. When does punishment Work ? The more intense the punishment, the more effective it often is Mild punishment tend to supress behavior temporarily, i.e the punished behaviour will return soon unless intense punishment is used. Eg ; Roberry Rape Antinational work

9. Consistency in punishment If punishment is administered more consistently, even if it is mild, it will be more effective Eg ; when violating traffic rules, consistently fine should should be taken Contingent upon the occurrence of some response The closer the punishment is in time and place to the behaviour being punished, the more effective it will be the longer the time interval between an unwanted behavior and a punishing effect, the less effective the punishment will be People and animals adapt to punishment and this may weaken its effectiveness. Eg ; A person involving in roberry , caught by police, released with fews days

10. Even mild punishment can be quite effective if it is used to supress one behavior, while at the same time positive reinforcement is used to make another behaviour . Eg ; During a shopping trip in Malls, when child is moving here and there, first scolding and then providing an ice cream cone when he stays quiet and obedient, it is likely that he/she would stay quiet in hope of getting icecream

11. Positive Punishment Negative Reinforcement Something unpleasant is added Something unpleasant is taken away Decrease a bad behaviour Increase a good behaviour Spanking a child when he throws a tantrum Removing restrictions from a child when she follows the rules Spanking = added Throwing tantrum = discouraging a bad behavior Set of restriction = unpleasant, taken away Following rules = encouraging a good behaviour For example, a teacher can eliminate that night's  homework if kids study hard and accomplish a lot in class. If this happens multiple times, the kids will consistently work harder and be more productive while in the classroom

12. Positive Punishment Positive Reinforcement Something unpleasant is added Something pleasant is added Decrease a bad behaviour Increase a good behaviour Spanking a child when he throws a tantrum treating a child to an ice cream cone when he stays quiet and obedient during a shopping trip Spanking = added Throwing tantrum = discouraging a bad behavior Icecream = pleasant, added Staying quiet = encouraging a good behaviour

13. Use of Punishment We often hear that parents should never punish their children Parents should know what they are doing and for what and when they use punishment to mold behavior Children running in streets, playing with knives Strong Punishment Serious Injury Punishment should be contingent on response Delayed punishment is less effective

14. Mild punishment can be effective if is used to halt unwanted behaviors while establishing another alternative behavior Child is fooling around in supermarket and randomly pulling things from shelves Mild scolding Supress behavior Parents could set child to sorting items in market basket, praising Positively reinforcing and establishing another desirable behaviour Here, one behaviour is weakened, making another desirable behavior more likely to occur

15. Problems with Punishment: Parents should not use punishment as the major means of controlling behaviour It will lose its effectiveness if done in almost everything what the child does. Punishment being noxious event can be US for fear Child may become fearful of and hostile towards who punish them Child may think he/she is the object of constant disapproval

16. Causes increased aggression - shows that aggression is a way to cope with problems. Creates fear that can generalize to undesirable behaviors, e.g., fear of school . Punished behavior is not forgotten, it's suppressed - behavior returns when punishment is no longer present. Does not necessarily guide toward desired behavior - reinforcement tells you what to do, punishment only tells you what not to do.

17. Note: What is the best type of punishment to use ? Should it be a verbal reprimand/yelling or something else? All we can say is as living is an art, so is the application of psychological principles in molding the behaviour One must see what works in particular situations with particular people

18. Summary It is designed to weaken or eliminate a response rather than increase it Two types: Positive: adding unpleasant stimulus Negative: Removing pleasant stimulus It will promote the learning of what not to do Punishment to be effective: Intense Mild with positive reinforcement Consistent Appropriate to time and place