What is the difference between negative reinforcement and ...

[Jones]

A little help for Psychology exam?

Say for example, I like to play video games. I was being naughty so my mother took away the games. Is that negative reinforcement or punishment?

Thanks in advance!

[formula1]

That was punishment.

Negative reinforcement would be, if she sat besides you, telling you how much you suck at the game, and how you'll never make it.

Punishment = A sanction because of something you did.

Negative Reinforcement = Enforcing a negative self-image.

So if you didn't do anything, and your Mom took your games away, it would've been negative reinforcement because she'd be sending a message 'I assume the worst about you, and will act accordingly'.

[Millan]

Just remember:
Reinforcement= Encourages a behaviour to occur again
Punishment= Discourages a behaviour from occurring again
Positive= Something added (+)
Negative=Something taken away (-)


If someone does something to you that makes you stop a certian behaviour, then they are punishing you. In your example, you did something bad, so your mother punished you by taking away your video games so that you're not naughty again. That's negative punishment - negative because something was removed (the games) and punishment because it's to deter a behaviour (being naughty).

Now if you were good instead of naughty and your mother wanted to encourage that good behaviour again, then she could reinforce you. She could negatively reinforce you - negative means she would take something away (e.g. she knows you like video games, so she could reduce/take away your homework hours so that you have more time to play them), reinforcement means that your good behaviour would be encouraged..