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Copyright © By Diana Guerrero

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Clearing Up Confusion Over Reinforcement & Punishment Terms

Many people have some difficulty with understanding the difference between a few terms used within the training industry. One of the biggest areas of confusion concerns negative reinforcement and punishment.

These terms are confusing because most associate the words with value judgments. When using these terms in a training capacity, they should be viewed as the addition (+ positive) or removal (-negative) of something.

In training, the terms are usually used in relationship with what is going on in the environment. There are events or stimuli that are appealing (appetitive) and those that are not appealing (aversive).

The actions effecting this situation can lead to the addition (+) or withdrawal (-) of something in relation to the environment. So a stimulus is either being added or removed and is said to be positive if it is added, or negative if it is removed.

Next, remember that we are referring to a relationship between behavior and environmental changes when we refer to reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement refers to something that results in improvement in conditions for the animal, while punishment refers to a relationship that results in decay or worsening of conditions for the animal.

Positive reinforcement means that the behavior occurring will add (+) something positive to the environment, which will increase the probability that it will occur again in a similar situation. Negative reinforcement means that the behavior occurring will remove (-) something undesirable from the environment, which will increase the probability that it will occur again in a similar situation. Negative reinforcement is exhibited through escape or avoidance.

Escape and avoidance lead to an improvement in the environment for the animal (reinforcement) by removal (-) of the aversiveness in/of the environment, hence the term negative reinforcement.

Escape is when something aversive happens and it ends, or the effects are reduced. Avoidance is where the aversive situation is prevented from occurring, or prevented from escalating. Are you still with me?

So now let's look at punishment. Positive punishment is when an undesirable stimulus is added (+) and decreases the probability that the behavior will occur again. Negative punishment is when a desirable stimulus is removed (-) and decreases the probability that the behavior will occur again.

The correct effects of punishment result in the behavior being suppressed, but this can also generalize to something else that was associated with the punishment and can have the same result. If the response or behavior decreases then you know that the punishment was effective.

The presentation of positive reinforcement is appetitive while presentation of positive punishment is aversive. The withdrawal of negative punishment is appetitive while the withdrawal of negative reinforcement is aversive.

Basically, if the stimulus is appetitive, it is highly probable that it will occur again (reinforcement). If the stimulus is aversive, it is highly probable that it will NOT occur again in the future (punishment). The behavior that may have an effect on the environment can lead to one of these events being added (positive) or withdrawn (negative).

Here are a few definitions for more clarity. Think of the + and - signs when you use the terms since that can help you remember that they refer to the addition or withdrawal of the stimulus.

Positive (+) Reinforcer A stimulus whose presentation increases the probability of responding.

Negative (-) Reinforcer A stimulus whose removal increases the probability of responding.

Negative Reinforcement (2): Escape Removes an aversive condition that has already been presented.

Avoidance Prevents an aversive condition from being presented.

Positive (+) Punishment A stimulus whose presentation decreases the probability of responding.

Negative (-) Punishment A stimulus whose removal decreases the probability of responding.

Stimulus An agent (as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of a living organism or one of its parts.

Positive Marked by the addition, or increase; directed or moving toward a source of stimulation.

Negative Marked by the absence, withholding, or removal of something positive; denoting the absence of something; lacking positive qualities; directed or moving away from a source of stimulation.

Punishment Refers to a relationship that results in decay or worsening of conditions for the animal. (Traditionally punishment is thought of as suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution.)

Reinforcement Refers to a relationship that results in improvement in conditions for the animal. It encourages a response.

Are you a reader with a question? Be sure to submit it--and good luck in all your training endeavors!

About the columnist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with and certified by a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and leads safaris. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books, What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007) are available through this web site. Questions for ABC's should be submitted to Diana directly through the ABC's zoo questionnaire on this web site, or contact her now.