- positive/negative reinforcement/punishment

Negative punishment

Negative punishment happens when a certain reinforcing stimulus is removed after a particular undesired behavior is exhibited, resulting in the behavior happening less often in the future. EX: A child fights with her brother (behavior) and has her favorite toy taken away (reinforcing stimulus removed).

Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement occurs when a certain stimulus (usually an aversive stimulus) is removed after a particular behavior is exhibited. The likelihood of the particular behavior occurring again in the future is increased because of removing/avoiding the negative consequence. EX: Natalie can get up from the dinner table (aversive stimulus) when she eats 2 bites of her broccoli (behavior).

Positive punishment

Positive punishment works by presenting an aversive consequence after an undesired behavior is exhibited, making the behavior less likely to happen in the future. EX: A child touches a hot stove (behavior) and feels pain (aversive stimulus).

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement works by presenting a motivating/reinforcing stimulus to the person after the desired behavior is exhibited, making the behavior more likely to happen in the future. EX: The little boy receives $5.00 (reinforcing stimulus) for every A he earns on his report card (behavior).