Punishment in ABA therapy

24.09.21 01:59 PM - By Cristina Martínez
By: Cristina Martínez
M.B.A, M.S, BCBA, LBA

Punishment has been used as a corrective method since time immemorial. However, health professionals continually insist on the need to use it with caution and moderation. Today, we will attempt to address this issue from the perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discuss some of its implications for parenting.
By: Cristina Martínez
M.B.A, M.S, BCBA, LBA

Punishment has been used as a corrective method since time immemorial. However, health professionals continually insist on the need to use it with caution and moderation. Today, we will attempt to address this issue from the perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discuss some of its implications for parenting.
Punishment is applied with the intention of eliminating or reducing unwanted behavior. In its application, two fundamental modalities can be distinguished: positive punishment and negative punishment. It is important to emphasize that, in behavioral terms, positive and negative are not associated with better or worse, but instead with adding or removing something.
We speak of positive punishment when an unpleasant stimulus is delivered in response to a behavior that we do not want to be repeated in the future. For example: a girl bites her nails, and a bitter product is applied to them to prevent her from biting her nails in the future; OR a boy has intentionally broken his siblings’ toys, and his parents give him a verbal reprimand. In both cases, an unpleasant stimulus, such as a bitter tasting product or a verbal reprimand, is delivered to the individual engaging in the unwanted behavior.
When we speak of negative punishment, we refer to the absence or withdrawal of a pleasant stimulus when an inappropriate behavior occurs. For example: children who are watching a movie, then begin arguing and fighting over who holds the popcorn, might have the popcorn or movie taken away altogether; OR a third grader yells at another student during class, so his teacher takes away his "good behavior" tokens that could have been exchanged for prizes. In both of these cases, a preferred stimulus, the popcorn / movie and the good behavior token, were removed in order to reduce the chances of the undesired behaviors from occurring again.
If these situations are analyzed, it can be inferred that they contain a more far-reaching social learning that can be useful for our children in the long term: society punishes those who disrupt its order, and coexistence imposes limits that must be respected. However, the deliberate application of punishments can generate profound physical and emotional damage and, in many cases, lack effectiveness.

When faced with such an ethically challenging method, we must be very clear about several essential elements:

  • The use of punishment should be reserved for specific occasions, avoiding its ineffectiveness due to habituation.
  • Punishment must be proportional to the offense, avoiding excessive threats that cannot and should not be fulfilled.
  • Punishment must be announced, so it is not delivered unfairly.
  • Once it has been announced, it is carried out immediately. Repeated or spaced threats of undesirable behavior will weaken both the authority and the effectiveness of the method.

On the other hand, focusing on eliminating or reducing the negative behavior often prevents us from understanding that the establishment of alternative positive behavior is more important than the reduction itself. Thus, in the case of opting for punishment, it can be very beneficial to combine it with the reinforcement of the behavior that we want to be repeated. For example: punishment of the behavior of hitting peers should be complemented with the teaching of alternative behaviors such as playing cooperatively. It is important that the reinforcement component predominates over the punishment component so that desired effects are faster, greater, and longer lasting.

The way in which we face educational situations from our role as parents or caregivers is fundamental to guarantee positive results. Making an effort to remain calm, avoiding at all costs physical and emotional abuse, including degrading comments, will lead us along balanced and accurate paths.

Punishment should be considered as a last resort alternative, in circumstances in which reinforcement does not make possible the behavioral modification that is sought. If we manage our children's education from a perspective of growth, empathy, and respect, we will be guaranteeing the harmonious and happy development they deserve.

Recommended Bibliography:

Recommended Bibliography:

Hanley, G. P., Piazza, C. C., Fisher, W. W. & Maglieri, K. A. (2005). On the effectiveness of and preference for punishment and extinction components of function-based interventions. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38(1), 51-65. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2005.6-04

Cristina Martínez

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