Reinforcement and punishment are processes that influence behavior. Reinforcement uses stimuli to increase the likelihood a behavior will be repeated, either through adding a pleasant stimulus (positive reinforcement) or removing an unpleasant one (negative reinforcement). Punishment decreases the probability a behavior will occur again, either by adding an unpleasant stimulus (positive punishment) or taking away a pleasant one (negative punishment). Examples of each are provided.

1. Reinforces and
Punishment
By: Samantha Dupuis

2. Reinforcement
 Reinforcement is the process by
which a stimulus increases the
probability that a preceding behavior
will be repeated.

3. Negative Reinforcement
 An unpleasant stimulus whose
removal leads to an increase in the
probability that a preceding will be
repeated in the future.
 Example: Turning down music if the
volume is too loud.

4. Positive Reinforcement
 A stimulus added to the environment that
brings about an increase in a preceding
response.
 Example: Receiving a pay check at the end of
the week increases the likelihood that you will
return to work.

5. Punishment
 A stimulus that decreases the probability that
a previous behavior will occur again.

6. Positive Punishment
 Weakens a
response through
the application of
an unpleasant
stimulus
 Example:
Spending time in
jail after
committing a
crime.

7. Negative Punishment
 Removing of something
pleasant
 Example: When a child is
grounded and cannot have
friends over because of bad
grades, she will bring her
grades up because of this
punishment.

8. References
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Positiv
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishment