Punishment decreases behavior

Punishment tells the dancing pigeon: fewer encores.

The idea behind the cue

Punishment decreases the future frequency of a behavior.

Short & simple

Punishment tells the dancing pigeon: fewer encores.

Acronym

PD: Punishment Decreases behavior.

Story

After a consequence, the pigeon dances less. The drop in behavior identifies punishment.

This is a behavioral definition, not a recommendation for treatment or discipline.

Check your understanding

A consequence reduces future behavior. It functions as:

A. Generalization by definition

B. Punishment

C. Reinforcement

D. Encoding

Reveal explanation

Punishment

Punishment decreases the future frequency of a behavior.

Opening your concept…