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How to make punishment effective.



 
 
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Old December 4th 03, 02:57 AM
ChadL
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Default How to make punishment effective.

What is punishment?

Scientifically defined it is: A decrease in operant behavior when the
behavior is followed by an aversive stimulus or when reinforcement is
withdrawn contingent on responding. (how do you know if a stimulus is
"aversive"? only if the animal seeks to escape or avoid it.)

So, if a behavior doesn't decrease -- then that behavior has not been
punished.

Here's how to make it effective:

1.) Deliver the aversive stimulus abruptly -- not gradually (ever wonder how
a masochist is made?). It should be swift and complete.

2.) Use a sufficient amount of intensity. Don't cause tissue damage, but
don't get slack on delivery -- otherwise your "punishment" may become
ineffective.

3.) Deliver the punishment _immediately_ following an unwanted behavior.

4.) Be consistent. To maximize suppression of target behavior, deliver the
aversive stimulus as frequently as possible (after each and every occurance
of the unwanted behavior), and increase intensity. So don't make idle
threats; delivering punishment on an intermittent schedule will make it less
effective in weaking the behavior (the opposite effect occurs with
intermittent reinforcement).

5.) Remove the motivation to respond. If motivation is reduced, punishment
will become most effective -- if it's even necessary anymore.

6.) Response alternative. Give the organism another way to obtain the same
kinds of reinforcers. I.e., shape behavior that can effectively compete
with the unwanted behavior. (of course this is not punishment, but is often
most effective at decreasing an unwanted behavior).

Finally, the less often you use punishment, the more effective it will
become (in regard to a phenomenon known as "habituation", and the fact that
competing emotional responses could disrupt the learning of response
alternatives).






 




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