Punishment Psychology And Behavior

What is punishment in psychology?

In psychology, punishment can refer to consequences meant to decrease or stop an unwanted behavior. Although punishment may have been used extensively in the past, positive reinforcement psychology is often more recommended today. Research suggests that some types of punishment, like spanking or slapping, can be associated with “increased odds of mental health disorders, physical health conditions, and defiant behaviors in adolescence” that may carry on into adulthood.  If you are experiencing mental health concerns due to experiences with punishment, you may wish to consider online therapy.

How punishment works in operant conditioning

Operant conditioning was coined by Dr. Burrhus Frederic Skinner. B.F. Skinner was a psychologist who thought classical conditioning might be too simplistic to explain human behavior accurately. He began experimenting with the idea that reinforcements and punishments lead to an association between a behavior and its consequences. Operant conditioning may be most commonly associated with positive and negative reinforcement, but punishment plays a role as well. 

Punishment vs reinforcement

In operant conditioning, reinforcement is meant to increase a desired or appropriate behavior. An effective punishment, on the other hand, aims to stop unwanted or negative behavior. 

Types of punishment with simple examples

Operant conditioning includes positive and negative punishment. In this context, positive and negative are used in mathematical terms, not as value judgments. In other words, positive means that something is added, while negative means that something is taken away. Both positive and negative punishment may work best when they occur immediately after the act, so that the association between the punishment and the wrong can be clearly established.

Positive punishment definition and examples

Positive punishment is the addition of an adverse consequence to stop an undesired behavior. Some examples may include: 

• A teen misses curfew, so they have to complete extra chores in order to be allowed to go out the next night. 
• An adult speeds, is pulled over by a police officer, and is given a ticket. 
• An athlete commits a foul, so they are given a penalty.

Negative punishment definition and examples

Negative punishment is removing something favorable to reduce unwanted behavior. Examples may include: 

• A teen misses curfew, so they are not allowed to use the car for the rest of the week.
• An adult speeds too many times, so they lose their license and their legal driving privileges. 
• An athlete argues with the referee and is ejected from the game.

When punishment can reduce behavior and when it fails

Punishment can be useful for discouraging some unwanted behaviors, but only in certain circumstances. Understanding when punishment can work and when it doesn’t can be key to using it effectively. 

What makes punishment effective

For punishment to actually change behavior, various conditions must be in place. Effective punishment must occur immediately after the targeted behavior occurs. It should also be proportionate and applied consistently. These conditions can help the person make the connection between the act and its consequences, increasing the chances that it will impact the behavior. 

Why punishment backfires

Punishment can be ineffective if it is applied inconsistently, if it is too harsh, or if it does not address the root of the behavior. Rather than changing behavior in the long term, ineffective punishment can have unintended effects. It can teach the person how to avoid punishment or lead to increased fear, aggression, or anxiety. In some cases, problem behaviors may even increase. To counter this, it can be beneficial to not only punish the unwanted or negative behavior but also reinforce positive alternatives so the person has a better understanding of what is expected of them.

Example scenario: Child throws a toy

To understand how to use punishment effectively, let’s look at a scenario where a child throws a toy because they are frustrated. Immediately after the child throws the toy, the parent should respond by removing the toy and explaining to the child why the behavior was wrong. Next, the parent should guide the child toward a more appropriate behavior to manage frustration, like taking slow, deep breaths or going to sit down in a quiet corner. Every time the child engages in this behavior, the parent should repeat the process until the behavior changes.

This approach can be effective as it addresses the behavior as soon as it occurs and gives the child an alternative way to behave. Immediate, consistent punishment paired with guidance on how to change the reaction can lead to lasting behavioral change.

Punishment, ethics, and high-risk contexts

Punishment can be a useful tool in some cases, but it may not be the best choice in high-risk situations or in settings where it could cause serious ethical questions. 

Dangerous behaviors and crisis safety

In a crisis situation, interventions may focus on ensuring immediate safety in the moment while protecting the dignity of the person involved, with experts recommending that “each individual’s needs are met in the least restrictive, least disruptive, and most community-integrated setting possible.”

When someone is engaging in dangerous behaviors, like self-harm or actions that put other people at risk, behavioral intervention becomes an important consideration and may be more complex. In these cases, many experts believe that punishment alone is rarely an appropriate strategy and may advocate for de-escalation in cases of aggression as well as co-regulation by “building rapport to prevent crisis and support recovery by fostering trust and emotional regulation.” 

Extreme cases in institutional settings

In extreme cases in institutional settings, such as residential centers for those with severe disabilities or psychiatric inpatient facilities, professionals may use controversial forms of punishment to address severe or aggressive behavior. One example is brief electric shock devices, which have been used in cases of severe aggression or self-injurious behavior. While the FDA banned use of these devices in 2020, saying the risks outweigh the benefits, this decision was overturned by an appeals court. While use of these devices is relatively rare, it is still controversial, with many bodies, including medical groups and disability rights activists, believing they are unethical and that more effective options exist.

What newer thinking emphasizes

New research suggests that moving away from punishment as a primary strategy for behavior change is likely to have better results. For example, one study establishes “guidelines for and alternatives to using punishment, including always pairing punishment with effective teaching, using logical and natural consequences, delivering positive feedback more frequently than negative feedback, and providing contextual supports.” 

Generally, positive reinforcement works better and faster than punishment, and current thinking is that, when punishment is used, it should be as least restrictive as possible and used alongside rewarding good behavior and other reinforcement strategies.

Better alternatives to punishment for long-term behavior change

Reinforcement and replacement behaviors

Replacement and reinforcement strategies can help people learn better ways to act in situations that may trigger undesirable behavior. This approach can be more effective because it involves trying to build an appropriate behavior rather than focusing solely on what to stop. Some examples include:

• Rewarding a child for stopping and taking deep breaths to calm down instead of throwing a toy
• Giving positive feedback to a teen who is trying to get their grades up after doing well on a test
• Praising an employee after a positive interaction with a customer

Skills that reduce repeat problem behaviors

In addition to reinforcing positive behaviors, teaching various skills can give people the tools they need to make positive, long-term changes. Some skills to focus on can include: 

• Emotional regulation
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Self-monitoring
• Asking for help

Coping with mental health concerns from psychological punishment

If you’re living with mental health concerns stemming from punishment, you may wish to seek therapy so that you can work with a mental health professional to learn coping skills and gain insight into the way the punishment affected you. Traditional therapy may not be your preferred method of getting help, and if that’s the case, you may be interested in online therapy. With online therapy, you still get to connect with a licensed professional, but you can do so without leaving the house.

Often, punishment can negatively impact self-esteem. According to this study, online therapy can be effective in increasing self-compassion and happiness, as well as decreasing difficulties with emotion, depression, and stress.