Essential Reading
Read this article for an overview of the differences between reinforcement and punishment, with a focus on distinguishing positive punishment from negative reinforcement — a common area of confusion:
Positive Psychology: Positive Punishment — What It Is, Benefits & Examples
Next, read this conversation between RBT trainee Donald and his BCBA supervisor Fred, where they discuss the concept of punishment and its relevance to ABA practice:
Donald: Hey Fred, I have a question. I’m a bit confused about why I need to learn about punishment and punishers when we don’t use punishment in our interventions. Can you help clarify?
Fred: Great question, Donald! Even though we focus on reinforcement, understanding punishment is essential because it helps us recognize when behaviors are being unintentionally punished. This knowledge helps us understand clients better and avoid accidentally punishing their behavior.
Reinforcement increases behavior, punishment decreases it. And remember, positive means adding something, while negative means removing something — it’s not about good or bad.
For example, positive punishment might be a child being reprimanded after running into the road, reducing the likelihood of them doing it again. Negative punishment could be removing TV time after two kids argue, if arguing decreases as a result.
Punishers can also be classified: unconditioned sensory punishers like bad smells, conditioned social punishers like reprimands, or unconditioned tangible punishers like spoiled food.
Knowing these categories helps us spot when punishment might be happening in a client’s life — even unintentionally — and guides us in supporting behavior change effectively.
Donald: That makes a lot of sense. Thanks, Fred! I’ll definitely keep this in mind as I continue my training.
Essential Video
This video from Psychology Concepts provides a brief introduction to the dangers and limitations of using punishment procedures in behavior change:
Optional Video
This video from ACT Autism Community Training provides a more in-depth exploration of the potential negative effects of punishment:
Conversation Exercise
Complete the Conversation Exercise with FRED, our AI-powered chatbot. This will help reinforce your understanding of punishment concepts through guided questions.
Click for instructions on accessing and using FRED
Click the conversation icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, or open FRED directly here.
For guidance on using FRED effectively, read our instructions here.
Reflection Exercise
After completing the reading, videos, and conversation exercise, reflect on your learning using the prompts below. Your reflection should be:
- Between 100 and 500 words (about 5–7 sentences minimum)
- Written in your preferred language
- Expressed in your own words — do not copy text from chatbots, websites, or this course
You’ll receive an email copy of your reflection to aid your RBT exam preparation.
Click to view Reflection Prompts & Example
Reflection Prompts (use one or more):
- Summarize Key Concepts: What are the main ideas you learned about punishment and punishers?
- Define in Your Own Words: How would you explain positive and negative punishment to a colleague?
- Importance and Connections: Why is understanding punishment important even if we don’t use it?
- Practical Applications: How can this knowledge help you avoid accidentally punishing a client’s behavior?
- Insights: Did anything from the reading or videos challenge or change your previous understanding of punishment?
Example Reflection:
Before this lesson, I thought punishment just meant being told off or being sent to your room. Now I understand that punishment is any consequence that reduces a behavior, whether something is added (positive punishment) or taken away (negative punishment). I was surprised to learn that punishment can happen accidentally, like removing attention when a child communicates, which could unintentionally reduce that communication. This lesson helped me see why ABA focuses on reinforcement instead — it’s safer and less likely to cause negative side effects like fear or avoidance. I’ll be more careful in sessions to ensure that my responses aren’t accidentally punishing the client’s efforts.
When you’re ready, submit your reflection below:
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