INCREASING THE SUPPRESSIVE EFFECT OF DELAYED PUNISHERS: A REVIEW OF BASIC AND APPLIED LITERATURE

Although punishment is a common feature in programs designed to suppress inappropriate responding, the delivery of punishment may be delayed for a variety of reasons. When punishment is delayed, the result may be a decrease in response suppression. It is therefore important to identify strategies to increase the effectiveness of delayed punishers. In this paper, basic and applied research on delayed punishment is reviewed. The delay‐of‐punishment gradient is described, and strategies are provided to increase the suppressive effect of delayed punishers. For each strategy identified, a conceptual account is provided describing how the strategy enables a delayed punisher to exert a suppressive effect. Furthermore, this paper suggests additional uninvestigated but potentially effective strategies and identifies problems with current research into delayed punishment. Finally, recommendations regarding future research into delayed punishers are provided. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.