Word Noun
punisher
n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈpənɪʃɝ/ pun·ish·er UK spelling punishers
Definition
n.a person or thing that causes pain or trouble to someone who has done something wrong. It is often used in psychology to describe a negative result that stops a behavior.
n.a person or thing that inflicts pain, loss, or discomfort as a consequence of an action. In behavioral psychology, it refers to a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a specific behavior through negative reinforcement.
Examples
“The loud noise acts as a punisher for the child.”
“In the classroom, the teacher uses a time-out as a punisher for students who interrupt the lesson.”
“The study suggests that the effectiveness of a punisher depends on its immediacy and the perceived connection between the action and the consequence.”
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated