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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 190Cite as

Aversive Stimulus

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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...

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References

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

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  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.

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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
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  2. Ivy Chong
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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)

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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

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