What term describes a stimulus change that decreases the probability of the preceding behavior?

What term describes a stimulus change that decreases the probability of the preceding behavior?

• A. Punishment
• B. Reinforcement
• C. Extinction
• D. Generalization

Answer: (A)

Punishment is a stimulus change that decreases the probability of the preceding behavior. In behavior analysis, a consequence that follows a behavior and reduces how likely that behavior is to occur again is called punishment. This can take two forms: positive punishment, where an aversive stimulus is added after the behavior (for example, scolding or an uncomfortable response), and negative punishment, where a reinforcing consequence is removed after the behavior (such as taking away a preferred toy or privilege). This differs from reinforcement, which aims to increase behavior; extinction, which involves withholding reinforcement so the behavior gradually decreases over time, not because of a specific immediate aversive consequence, and generalization, which is the spreading of a learned response to similar stimuli rather than a reducing consequence following the behavior.

Punishment is a stimulus change that decreases the probability of the preceding behavior. In behavior analysis, a consequence that follows a behavior and reduces how likely that behavior is to occur again is called punishment. This can take two forms: positive punishment, where an aversive stimulus is added after the behavior (for example, scolding or an uncomfortable response), and negative punishment, where a reinforcing consequence is removed after the behavior (such as taking away a preferred toy or privilege).

This differs from reinforcement, which aims to increase behavior; extinction, which involves withholding reinforcement so the behavior gradually decreases over time, not because of a specific immediate aversive consequence, and generalization, which is the spreading of a learned response to similar stimuli rather than a reducing consequence following the behavior.