What is the difference between reinforcement and punishment in operant conditioning?

Reinforcement is anything that increases the frequency of a behaviour. Punishment decreases the frequency. Reinforcement can be split into two categories: positive reinforcement refers to adding something pleasant; while negative reinforcement refers to removing something unpleasant. For example, positive reinforcement might be giving a rat a treat for pressing a lever while negative reinforcement would be removing an electric current with the lever. Punishment, on the other hand, is adding a negative consequence if undesired behaviour occurs. For example giving an electric shock to a rat that presses a lever. Can you think of reinforcements and punishments that could be used for humans? Maybe for school students?

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Answered by Sarah T. Psychology tutor

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