Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aversive Stimulus

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development

Synonyms

Negative reinforcer; Punisher; Unpleasant event

Definition

An aversive stimulus is an unpleasant event that is intended to decrease the probability of a behavior when it is presented as a consequence (i.e., punishment). However, an aversive stimulus may also increase the probability of a behavior when it is removed as a consequence, and in this way it will function as negative reinforcement.

Description

Aversive stimuli have been described in learning texts to include stimuli, when used as a consequence will punish a response [1]. They are contrasted with appetitive stimuli that can be used to reinforce responses. While many people consider aversive stimuli as fear and pain-causing events, it is important to realize that an aversive stimulus for one person could be an appetitive stimulus for somebody else. In fact, for the same person in different contexts and at different times, an event could serve as either aversive or appetitive. Examples of aversive stimuli can include...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 949.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Catania, A. C. (1998). Learning (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Newsom, C., Kroeger, K. A. (2004). Nonaversive treatment. In J. Jacobson, R. M. Foxx, J. Mulick (Eds.), Controversial therapies for developmental disabilities: Fads, fashion, and science in professional practice (pp. 405–422). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA

    Josh Pritchard

  2. Scott Center for Autism Treatment, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd, Melbourne, FL, USA

    Ivy Chong

Authors
  1. Josh Pritchard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ivy Chong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josh Pritchard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Pritchard, J., Chong, I. (2011). Aversive Stimulus. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_265

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_265

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation