A previously neutral stimulus that functions as a punisher because of prior pairing with punishers is called what?

• A. Conditioned Punisher
• B. Unconditioned Punisher
• C. Conditioned Reinforcer
• D. Conditioned Stimulus

Answer: (A)

A punisher decreases the likelihood of a behavior, and when a neutral stimulus becomes punishing through prior pairing with punishers, it is a conditioned punisher. The neutral stimulus acquires punishing properties only through learning, so it’s not inherently punishing. This is different from an unconditioned punisher, which would punish without any prior learning (such as something naturally aversive). It’s also not a conditioned reinforcer, which increases behavior because it’s associated with more primary rewards. And it’s not just a conditioned stimulus, which signals that a consequence is coming but doesn’t specify its punishing function by itself.