In reinforcement theory, punishment is defined as anything that does what?
AIncreases a particular behavior
BDecreases a particular behavior
CDelays a particular behavior
DRepeats a particular behavior
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Decreases a particular behavior
1. Reinforcement theory defines its terms by what they do rather than by what they look like.
2. A reward is anything that increases a particular behavior.
3. Punishment is anything that decreases the behavior.
4. Because the definitions are functional, what one person treats as a punishment may in fact act as a reward for another.
5. That is why the option about increasing behavior belongs to reward rather than to punishment.
_Source: OpenStax Introduction to Business (CC BY 4.0), Ch 9 "Motivating Employees", section 9.6 Contemporary Views on Motivation_
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