Behavior analysis

Post ID: 3549374

PSY5280 - Jul 13 2026 to Sep 18 2026 - Section 01

Week 2

[u02a1] Week 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and Punishment

HomeAnnouncementsVitalsource BookshelfAssignmentsYellowdigGradesFilesMicrosoft ToolsePortfolioMedia GalleryWeek 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and Punishment[u02a1] Week 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and Punishment

Due: Sun Jul 26, 2026 11:59pm7/26/2026

Ungraded, 170 Possible Points170 Points Possible

Attempt

In Progress

NEXT UP: Submit Assignment

Overview

Behavior analysts work to change an individual's socially significant behaviors in meaningful ways. As the conceptually systematic dimension states, basic principles of behavior are used to change behaviors. The first basic principle we explore is reinforcement. Reinforcement increases behavior. Punishment decreases behavior. In the practice of behavior analysis, you are arranging environmental variables to change behavior in a socially significant way. In order to understand how to apply these concepts you must first understand how these theories influence your own behavior. In this assignment you will look at your own behavior and determine how certain behaviors you exhibit may be reinforced and how others may be naturally punished by your environment.

This week, we also explore another basic principle of behavior—punishment. Punishment decreases behavior. Many misconceptions about punishment exist, but when used correctly, it is an important part of the learning process. Punishment is a consequence that follows a behavior and decreases the future likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Decreasing behaviors is a common task for behavior analysts, so it is important to understand how punishment works.

Instructions

For this assignment, complete the following using the Reinforcement and Punishment Template [DOCX]. Please try to provide examples of the impact of the environment on your behavior through naturally occurring reinforcement and punishment and the natural occurrence of extinction.

Reinforcement

Provide one detailed example of how positive reinforcement works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
Provide one detailed example of how negative reinforcement works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.

Punishment

Provide one detailed example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.
Provide one detailed example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in your own life.

Extinction

Provide one detailed example of how a behavior in your own life was reduced through extinction.

For all your examples:

Be sure to label the three-term contingency.
Be sure to explain why the examples you chose work to increase or decrease the behavior.

Assignment Requirements

Your assignment should meet the following requirements:

Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines. Use Academic Writer for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
Resources: 2–3 scholarly or professional resources.
Length: 2–3 double-spaced pages of content in addition to the title page and references page.

Refer to the Reinforcement and Punishment rubric to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

Competency 1: Distinguish the principles of behavior analysis associated with increasing and decreasing behavior.
- Describe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.
- Describe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.
- Describe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.
- Describe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.
- Describe an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction.
Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
- Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.
- Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.

Week 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and Punishment

Week 2 Assignment: Reinforcement and Punishment
Criteria	Ratings	Points
Describe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.	DISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency. 27.2 to >23.12 pts PROFICIENTDescribes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 23.12 to >19.04 pts BASICPartially describes an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete. 19.04 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of positive reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 0 pts	/27.2 pts
Describe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.	DISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life and has a naturally occurring consequence rather than a contrived one. Correctly labels the three-term contingency. 27.2 to >23.12 pts PROFICIENTDescribes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 23.12 to >19.04 pts BASICPartially describes an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete. 19.04 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of negative reinforcement that works to increase or maintain a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 0 pts	/27.2 pts
Describe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.	DISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency. 27.2 to >23.12 pts PROFICIENTDescribes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 23.12 to >19.04 pts BASICPartially describes an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete. 19.04 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how positive punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 0 pts	/27.2 pts
Describe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life.	DISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life and correctly labels the three-term contingency. 27.2 to >23.12 pts PROFICIENTDescribe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 23.12 to >19.04 pts BASICPartially describes an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete. 19.04 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how negative punishment works to decrease a behavior’s occurrence in one's own life. 0 pts	/27.2 pts
Describe an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction.	DISTINGUISHEDDescribes an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction and correctly labels the three-term contingency. 27.2 to >23.12 pts PROFICIENTDescribes an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction. 23.12 to >19.04 pts BASICPartially describes an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction, but the description is inaccurate or incomplete. 19.04 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not describe an example of how a behavior in one's own life was reduced through extinction. 0 pts	/27.2 pts
Demonstrate an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines.	DISTINGUISHEDDemonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that contains no significant grammatical or mechanical errors and follows assignment guidelines. 17 to >14.45 pts PROFICIENTDemonstrates an academic writing style through well-organized prose that follows assignment guidelines. 14.45 to >11.9 pts BASICDemonstrates minimally acceptable writing style, but still has instances of disorganization and grammatical or mechanical errors or does not follow all assignment guidelines. 11.9 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not demonstrate an academic writing style. 0 pts	/17 pts
Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.	DISTINGUISHEDDevelops a paper that is fully compliant with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 17 to >14.45 pts PROFICIENTDemonstrates compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 14.45 to >11.9 pts BASICDemonstrates minimally acceptable compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 11.9 to >0 pts NON_PERFORMANCEDoes not demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines. 0 pts	/17 pts

Choose a submission type

I agree to the tool's End-User License AgreementThis assignment submission is my own, original work

PreviousWeek 2 Activity 4: ABA Terminology Flashcards – Week 2

NextWeek 2 Instructor Contact Session