Question

Ideally, what happens to the frequency of a behaviour following a punishment?

Select one:
a. The behaviour is often totally eliminated.
b. The behaviour continues as it was before the punishment.
c. The behaviour becomes less frequent.
d. The behaviour happens more often.

Answer 1

Following a punishment in operant conditioning, the frequency of a behavior ideally becomes less frequent as the punishment is meant to reduce the likelihood of the behavior occurring again.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ideally, following a punishment, the frequency of a behavior should become less frequent. This decrease in behavior frequency is one of the primary aims of punishment in the context of operant conditioning. It contrasts with reinforcement, where the purpose is to increase the desired behavior. After punishment is administered, especially if consistently applied following the unwanted behavior, there should be a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of punishment can vary widely, and it is not always a guarantee that the behavior will be completely eliminated.