Behavior analysts work to change an individual’s socially significant behaviors in meaningful ways. As the conceptually systematic dimension states, basic principles of behavior are used to change behaviors. The first basic principle we explore is reinforcement. Reinforcement increases behavior. Punishment decreases behavior. In the practice of behavior analysis, you are arranging environmental variables to change behavior in a socially significant way. In order to understand how to apply these concepts you must first understand how these theories influence your own behavior. In this assignment you will look at your own behavior and determine how certain behaviors you exhibit may be reinforced and how others may be naturally punished by your environment.
This week, we also explore another basic principle of behavior—punishment. Punishment decreases behavior. Many misconceptions about punishment exist, but when used correctly, it is an important part of the learning process. Punishment is a consequence that follows a behavior and decreases the future likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Decreasing behaviors is a common task for behavior analysts, so it is important to understand how punishment works.
Instructions
For this assignment, complete the following using the Reinforcement and Punishment Template [DOCX]. Please try to provide examples of the impact of the environment on your behavior through naturally occurring reinforcement and punishment and the natural occurrence of extinction.
Reinforcement
- Provide one detailed example of how positive reinforcement works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
- Provide one detailed example of how negative reinforcement works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
Punishment
- Provide one detailed example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
- Provide one detailed example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
Extinction
- Provide one detailed example of how a behavior in your own life was reduced through extinction.
For all your examples:
- Be sure to label the three-term contingency.
- Be sure to explain why the examples you chose work to increase or decrease the behavior.
Assignment Requirements
Your assignment should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines. Use Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing CenterLinks to an external site. for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
- Resources: 2–3 scholarly or professional resources.
- Length: 2–3 double-spaced pages of content in addition to the title page and references page.
Refer to the Reinforcement and Punishment rubric to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:
- Competency 1: Distinguish the principles of behavior analysis associated with increasing and decreasing behavior.
- Describe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.
- Describe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.
- Describe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.
- Describe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.
- Describe an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction.
- Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
- Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.
- Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.
View RubricWeek 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and PunishmentWeek 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and PunishmentCriteriaRatingsPtsDescribe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.27.2 to >23.12 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency.23.12 to >19.04 ptsPROFICIENTDescribes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.19.04 to >0 ptsBASICPartially describes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life./ 27.2 ptsDescribe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.27.2 to >23.12 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life and has a naturally occurring consequence rather than a contrived one. Correctly labels the three-term contingency.23.12 to >19.04 ptsPROFICIENTDescribes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.19.04 to >0 ptsBASICPartially describes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life./ 27.2 ptsDescribe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.27.2 to >23.12 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency.23.12 to >19.04 ptsPROFICIENTDescribes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.19.04 to >0 ptsBASICPartially describes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life./ 27.2 ptsDescribe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.27.2 to >23.12 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency.23.12 to >19.04 ptsPROFICIENTDescribe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life.19.04 to >0 ptsBASICPartially describes an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one’s own life./ 27.2 ptsDescribe an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction.27.2 to >23.12 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction and correctly labels the three-term contingency.23.12 to >19.04 ptsPROFICIENTDescribes an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction.19.04 to >0 ptsBASICPartially describes an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how a behavior in one’s own life was reduced through extinction./ 27.2 ptsDemonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.17 to >14.45 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDemonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that contains no significant grammatical or mechanical errors and follows assignment guidelines.14.45 to >11.9 ptsPROFICIENTDemonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.11.9 to >0 ptsBASICDemonstrates minimally acceptable writing style, but still has instances of disorganization and grammatical or mechanical errors or does not follow all assignment guidelines.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not demonstrate an academic writing style./ 17 ptsDemonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.17 to >14.45 ptsDISTINGUISHEDDevelops a paper that is fully compliant with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.14.45 to >11.9 ptsPROFICIENTDemonstrates compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.11.9 to >0 ptsBASICDemonstrates minimally acceptable compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.0 ptsNON_PERFORMANCEDoes not demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines./ 17 pts