Question

What are some of the limitations of using reinforcement and punishment

Answer 1

reinforcements in form of rewards and punishments are used in operant conditioning of behavior.These have been found to be effective in learning and behavior modification, but there are certain limitations as well.

1.What may be reinforcement in one case may not be effictive in another.Thus identitying the right reinforcer for an individual or group requires research and experimentation.

2.If excessive punishment is used, it can have averse emotional effects which can result in long term harm, there fore it needs to be used carefully.

3. The reinforcement may only bring about an external change in behaviour till they are being reinforced, and not bring an internal change in terms of understanding that behavior is undesirable or desirable.

4.In real world situations it is difficult to monitor responses that should be punished as they will be hidden as compared to responses which are rewarded and will be brought to notice.

5.If positive reinforcements are used too much, they stop working as they are taken forgranted.

6.Use of reinforcements on individuals can be managed but when a group is involved monitoring and reinforcing becomes difficult and cumbersome.