Final answer:
Presenting an aversive stimulus to an animal as a consequence for a particular behavior will sometimes decrease that behavior. This approach, known as positive punishment, is not always effective and its success can vary with multiple factors. Extinction of undesirable behavior through punishment is not guaranteed and can lead to adverse effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Presenting an aversive stimulus to an animal contingent on a behavior will sometimes decrease the behavior it follows. This is known as positive punishment in operant conditioning. By presenting an aversive stimulus after a behavior occurs (for example, scolding a student), the goal is to decrease the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future. However, it is important to note that this method does not always lead to a decrease in behavior.
In more detail, positive punishment involves introducing an unpleasant stimulus post-behavior to reduce the frequency of that behavior. Negative punishment, on the other hand, involves removing a pleasant stimulus to achieve the same goal. The effectiveness of punishment can vary depending on factors such as the timing, consistency, and individual sensitivities of the subject. Furthermore, punishment could potentially lead to adverse effects like increased aggression or avoidance behaviors.
To establish a connection between positive punishment and behavior reduction, one must consider the context and the subject's learning history. In some cases, presenting an aversive stimulus consistently may lead to extinction of the unwanted behavior, but there can be situations where the behavior does not diminish or the subject becomes desensitized to the punishment.