Question

How are negative reinforcement and punishment alike? How are they different? -- Answer in essay form and length

Answer 1

Negative reinforcement and punishment both are the contents constituting the operant conditioning in which the action involved is voluntary in nature. The response is in form of a behavior. Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable factor whereas the punishment involves the introduction of an undesirable factor. However, both the negative reinforcement as well as the punishment are applied in order to achieve a positive desirable effect or response.

Difference between negative reinforcement and punishment :

In case of negative reinforcement, the effect generated is the increase in good behavior as a consequence whereas the punishment leads to decrease in behavior.

The aversive stimulus is removed in case of negative reinforcement. Whereas the punishment involves adding or removing the stimulus. It may lead to averting back to the original behavior when the threat of punishment is no longer effective.

The similarity between negative reinforcement and punishment :

• Both of these lead to a difference in behavior.
• These are voluntary actions with positive as well as the negative types.
• Desired consequences are achieved.
• Both come under operant conditioning.