Question

Given the research on effectiveness of punishment, in order to make sure the punishment will be effective, people who are creating punishment contingencies have to: make it so that the only way the organism can prevent being punished is to not engage in the punished behavior (i.e., they can't get out of it by escaping or avoiding punishment after engaging in the punished behavior).

a) true
b) false

Answer 1

The statement that punishment will be effective only when there's no escape from it after the punished behavior is true, aligning with Skinner's theories of operant conditioning and the law of effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the realm of operant conditioning, the effectiveness of punishment is contingent upon its implementation in a way that the only method to avoid punishment is by not engaging in the punished behavior. This stems from the foundational principles of behaviorism, specifically B.F. Skinner's work, which is based on the law of effect as proposed by Edward Thorndike. Therefore, the statement that punishment will be effective when the organism cannot escape or avoid punishment after engaging in the punished behavior is true.

Punishment aims to decrease the likelihood of the punished behavior occurring again, which is critical in learning and behavior modification. However, it's essential to note that while immediate punishment can effectively deter undesirable behaviors, it may also produce adverse effects like fear, aggression, and antisocial behavior. In contrast, reinforcement is often favored for increasing desirable behaviors without such negative side effects.