
Punishment, if the choice is made to continue behaving inappropriately, and reinforcers, when the choice is made to behave appropriately. In order to help this occur successfully, both punishment and reinforcers, ideally positive reinforcers, should be used. The goal of a behavior plan is to decrease one behavior and increase an alternative behavior. It teaches that by doing one thing they can escape or avoid another thing, which is negatively effective when anxiety is present. Whereas, negative reinforcement teaches escape/avoidance.

#Positive punishment and negative reinforcement examples how to#
In addition, it helps teach how to get needs and wants met. Positive reinforcement has been found to be more effective overall, as rewards tend to be more motivating. So, reinforcement teaches a clearer understanding of what is expected and appropriate. Therefore, punishment only teaches what they are not supposed to do, rather than the appropriate thing to do to get there needs met. Reinforcement teaches the more desirable behavior by rewarding it, while punishment teaches the undesired behavior by giving a consequence for it. Why is that? While both punishment and reinforcement help to modify behavior, they do this differently. Research shows that reinforcement tends to be more effective in modifying behavior. For example, time out for hitting, or getting a ticket for speeding. Alternatively, punishment is used to decrease an undesired or inappropriate behavior. For example, when you put your seat belt on in the car, it stops beeping at you.

Negative reinforcement is the removal of something that is aversive or undesired in order to increase the desired behavior. For example, giving dessert for finishing all of their dinner. Positive reinforcement involves adding something that is desired or rewarding that increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. Overall, reinforcement, both positive and negative, is used to increase a behavior.
