Learning Objective

Understand the types of reinforcers, punishment, and extinction in operant and classical conditioning, and how these consequences affect behavior.

Reinforcer

Reinforcers increase the probability of a behavior occurring. They can be positive or negative, depending on whether a stimulus is added or removed.

Positive Reinforcer

A desirable stimulus is added after a behavior → behavior increases.

Example: An employee receives a bonus after completing a big project → more likely to perform well again.

Negative Reinforcer

An aversive stimulus is removed after a behavior → behavior increases.

Example: A child cleans his room (behavior) to stop the parent’s nagging (removal of aversive stimulus).

Key Point:

No stimulus is inherently positive or negative for every person.

• A party = fun for an extrovert (positive reinforcer)
• A party = aversive for an introvert (negative or punishing stimulus)

Punishment

Punishment decreases the probability of a behavior.

• Typically uses an aversive stimulus or the removal of something desirable.

Example: A driver receives a speeding ticket → intended to reduce speeding.

Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases behavior.

Extinction

Extinction = a learned response disappears when reinforcement is removed.
Occurs in both classical and operant conditioning.

Extinction in Learning Theory