Reinforcement is defined as a consequence that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood of that behavior reoccurring. It can involve adding a rewarding stimulus or removing an aversive one. Punishment decreases a behavior's likelihood by adding an aversive stimulus or removing a rewarding one after the unwanted behavior occurs. Examples of reinforcement include stroking a cat's fur and getting it to purr more, or honking to get a car in front of you to move. Examples of punishment include getting bit by stroking a cat the wrong way or a dolphin trainer withholding food for aggression.

1. By: Lorrie Burgess

2.  What is reinforcement?
 Reinforcement is defined as a consequence that
follows an operant response that increases the
likelihood of that response occurring in the future.

3.  An attempt to increase the likelihood of a behavior
occurring in the future, an operate response is
followed by the presentation of an appetitive stimulus.
 example
If you stroke a cat’s fur in a manner
pleasing to the cat it will purr. The
cat’s purring may act as a positive
reinforcer, causing you to stroke
the cat’s fur in the same manner in
the future.

4.  An attempt to increase the likelihood of a behavior
occurring in the future, an operant response is
followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus.
• Example
When the light goes green at a traffic
light, the car in front of Sarah doesn’t
move. She hates when this happens and
from experience know that blasting her
car horn gets cars that are in front of her
out of her way. She dutifully blasts the
horn and the car moves out of her way.

5.  What is punishment?
 Punishment is defined as a consequence that follows
an operant response that decreases the likelihood of
that response occurring in the future.

6.  An attempt to decrease the likelihood of a behavior
occurring in the future by following an operant
response with an aversive stimulus.
 examples
 Burning your hand when you touch a hot
stove.
 If you stroke a cat’s fur in a way that is
unpleasant, the cat may attempt to bit
you.

7.  An attempt to decrease the likelihood of a behavior
occurring in the future, an operant response is
followed by the removal of an appetitive stimulus.
 Examples
 A dolphin trainer walks away with the
food bucker when the dolphin gets
aggressive.
 One person in a relationship stops talking
to the other in response to a certain
behavior.