Punishment Definitions
Before discussing the two sub-types of punishment we will provide a general definitions list of some terms and concepts that are used when talking about punishment.
Punishment: When a stimulus change that immediately follows a response (or behavior) and decreases the future probability of that type of behavior (or response) in similar conditions.
Punisher: A stimulus change that decreases the future probability of the behavior that occurs immediately before its presentation.
Conditioned Punisher: A previously neutral stimulus changes that functions as a punisher due to prior pairing with one or more other punishers; also called secondary or learned punisher. A few examples of conditioned punishers include facial expressions, phrases, objects, etc.
Unconditioned Punisher: A stimulus change that decreases the frequency of any behavior that immediately precedes it regardless of the organism's learning history with the stimulus. These are usually products of the evolutionary development of the species (phylogeny); all members of a species are more or less susceptible to punishment by the presentation of unconditioned punishers; sometimes called primary or unlearned punishers. Shock, physical pain, and loud noises are some examples of unconditioned punishers.
Generalized Condition Punisher: A stimulus change that has been paired with numerous forms of unconditioned and conditioned punishers. For instance, reprimands (i.e., "No!" "Don't do that!) and social disproval (i.e., scowl, head shake, frown) are generalized conditioned punishers for most people because they have been repeatedly paired with a wide variety of conditioned and unconditioned punishers. This type of punisher is free from the control of specific motivating conditions and will function as punishment in most situations and in most conditions.
Aversive Stimulus: Generally, an unpleasant or noxious stimulus. To be more specific, a stimulus change or condition that functions (1) to evoke a behavior that has terminated it in the past, (2) as a punisher when presented following behavior, and/or (3) as a reinforcers when withdrawn following behavior.
Punishment: When a stimulus change that immediately follows a response (or behavior) and decreases the future probability of that type of behavior (or response) in similar conditions.
Punisher: A stimulus change that decreases the future probability of the behavior that occurs immediately before its presentation.
Conditioned Punisher: A previously neutral stimulus changes that functions as a punisher due to prior pairing with one or more other punishers; also called secondary or learned punisher. A few examples of conditioned punishers include facial expressions, phrases, objects, etc.
Unconditioned Punisher: A stimulus change that decreases the frequency of any behavior that immediately precedes it regardless of the organism's learning history with the stimulus. These are usually products of the evolutionary development of the species (phylogeny); all members of a species are more or less susceptible to punishment by the presentation of unconditioned punishers; sometimes called primary or unlearned punishers. Shock, physical pain, and loud noises are some examples of unconditioned punishers.
Generalized Condition Punisher: A stimulus change that has been paired with numerous forms of unconditioned and conditioned punishers. For instance, reprimands (i.e., "No!" "Don't do that!) and social disproval (i.e., scowl, head shake, frown) are generalized conditioned punishers for most people because they have been repeatedly paired with a wide variety of conditioned and unconditioned punishers. This type of punisher is free from the control of specific motivating conditions and will function as punishment in most situations and in most conditions.
Aversive Stimulus: Generally, an unpleasant or noxious stimulus. To be more specific, a stimulus change or condition that functions (1) to evoke a behavior that has terminated it in the past, (2) as a punisher when presented following behavior, and/or (3) as a reinforcers when withdrawn following behavior.