Name of Strategy or Intervention
Punishment in Social Learning Theory
Synonyms
Aversive stimuli
Introduction
Punishment in social learning theory is designed to reduce and eliminate certain behaviors. Punishment is not considered a behavior; instead, it has a role of mediating the learning process (Bandura 1977; Skinner 1976). Bandura described punishment as a stimulus or reinforcer in a learning process. People can experience punishment in two forms, positive and negative. Negative reinforcement and positive punishment are often confused. Negative reinforcement is to take something aversive away in order to increase a response. Positive punishment is to add something aversive to modify behavior (Bandura 1977).
Theoretical Framework
Punishment is often discussed as a part of operant conditioning in behavioral psychology attributed to the work of B.F. Skinner (1976). Skinner stated that behavior is strengthened by its consequences or reinforcements.
Bandura added the cognitive approach...
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References
Alampay, L. P., Godwin, J., Lansford, J. E., Bombi, A. S., Bornstein, M. H., Chang, L., & ... Bacchini, D. (2017). Severity and justness do not moderate the relation between corporal punishment and negative child outcomes: A multicultural and longitudinal study. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 41(4), 491–502.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory, Prentice-Hall series in social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.
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Rodriguez, C. M. (2003). Parental discipline and abuse potential effects on child depression, anxiety, and attributions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(4), 809–817.
Skinner, B. (1976). About behaviorism. New York: Vintage Books.
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Song, J., Notice, M., Robertson, J. (2019). Punishment in Social Learning Theory. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_51
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_51
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