Final answer:
Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing an annoying stimulus, such as a seatbelt reminder, whereas punishment decreases behavior by adding or removing a stimulus, like scolding or taking away a toy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Negative Reinforcement and Punishment
The core difference between negative reinforcement and punishment is their effect on behavior. Negative reinforcement is about increasing a behavior by removing an undesirable stimulus. An example is the persistent beeping of a car's seatbelt reminder, which stops when you buckle up, thereby increasing the likelihood that you will buckle up in the future. In contrast, punishment always aims to decrease a behavior. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding to reduce texting in class, while negative punishment entails taking away a pleasant stimulus, as in removing a child's toy to discourage bad behavior.
Examples of Negative Reinforcement:
- The beeping sound of a car's seatbelt reminder ceases once you buckle up.
- In horse training, riders apply and then remove pressure when the horse complies, reinforcing the desired behavior.
Examples of Punishment:
- A child is scolded to stop texting in class - positive punishment.
- A favorite toy is taken away from a child for misbehavior - negative punishment.
Punishment can be effective but may have unwanted side effects, such as inducing fear or promoting aggressive behavior. Therefore, contemporary psychology and parenting experts often favor reinforcement over punishment.