Final answer:
The dog getting sprayed by a skunk after chasing it is an example of punishment in operant conditioning, aimed at decreasing the behavior of chasing skunks.
Step-by-step explanation:
When your dog chases a skunk and gets sprayed in the face, this would be an example of punishment in the context of operant conditioning. Punishment, according to B.F. Skinner's principles of operant conditioning, is a process that decreases the likelihood of a behavior. In this scenario, the unpleasant experience of being sprayed is likely to decrease the dog's future behavior of chasing skunks. It is important to recognize that reinforcement (whether positive or negative) always aims to increase a behavior, whereas punishment (whether positive or negative) seeks to decrease a behavior.