Answer to Question #238060 in Psychology for Touzet PHILIPPE

Question

There are many individuals who view punishment (both positive and negative) as a necessary teaching method. This can vary from one culture to another as well as from one individual to the next. What are your views on using punishment in order to reduce unwanted behaviors? In what situations is it OK, and in what situations should it be discouraged? Provide examples and references, if appropriate.

Answer 1

Punishment is a term used to refer to any change that occurs after a behavior that reduces the likelihood of that behavior to occur again in the future. Some teaching methods can be said to be positive or negative reinforcement. Positive punishment involves presenting an aversive motivation after a behavior has occurred. For example, when a student talks out of turn in the middle of class, the teacher might discipline the child for interrupting.​​ This type of punishment will bring a positive change to the learner leading to him/her changing the bad behavior.

Negative punishment involves taking away a desirable motivation after a behavior has occurred. For example, when the student from the previous example talks out of turn again, the teacher promptly tells the child that they will have to miss recess because of their behavior. There are also many people who are completely against whopping and shouting at children, to reduce unwanted behaviors. I am also against it as it would make the learner to feel rejected and isolated and this won’t make the learner change the behavior.

Therefore, punishment is more likely to lead to a decrease in behavior if it immediately follows the behavior and is consistently applied.