ABSTRACT
Thus far in this book we have focused on contingencies that develop and maintain new behavior; that is, contingencies that teach an individual what to do in a given situation. In this chapter we look at contingencies that, in effect, teach an individual what not to do in a given situation. In the science of learning there are two definitions of punishment, both of which, it should be noted, differ from the use of the word in everyday English. They are as follows:
• Punishment is the presentation of a negative reinforcer, defined in Chapter 3, or the removal of a positive reinforcer, defined in Chapter 3, contingent on a response (Skinner, 1953, p. 73).
