The use of punishment refers to the application of an aversive stimulus or the removal of a desired stimulus in order to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. It is used as a behavioral modification tool under operant conditioning principles.
Related terms
Negative Reinforcement: This term refers to removing an aversive stimulus after a behavior occurs, which increases the likelihood of that behavior happening again.
Positive Punishment: This term involves applying an aversive stimulus after a behavior occurs, reducing the chances of that behavior being repeated.
Extinction: In operant conditioning, extinction refers to when a previously reinforced behavior no longer receives reinforcement, leading to its gradual disappearance.