ABSTRACT
This chapter defines punishment and punisher. A punisher is an immediate consequence of an operant behavior that causes that behavior to decrease in frequency. Like positive reinforcement, punishment affects people's learning throughout life. Many kinds of events, when delivered as immediate consequences for behavior, fit the definition of punisher. Most of these events can be classified in following categories: physical punisher, reprimand, timeout, and response cost. To decrease an undesirable response, it is generally considered to be maximally effective to increase some desirable alternative response that will compete with the undesirable behavior to be eliminated. If punishment is to be used, it is important to be sure that the punisher is effective. In general, the more intense or strong the punishing stimulus, the more effective it will be in decreasing the undesirable behavior. Behavioral journals describe numerous reports of the use of punishment as a treatment strategy, sometimes referred to as therapeutic punishment, with individuals who have severe behavioral challenges.
