Vicarious Punishment

Vicarious punishment occurs when the tendency to engage in a behavior is weakened after having observed the negative consequences for another engaging in that behavior. This is a form of observational learning as described by social learning theory. According to Albert Bandura's social learning theory, observers change their behavior based on viewing the behavior of another person (often referred to as a “model”). In vicarious punishment, an observer views a model experiencing a negative outcome—either the application of an aversive consequence or the removal of a desired consequence—for emitting a behavior, and as a result the observer is less likely to exhibit the behavior. The observer infers the likelihood of punishment for himself or herself, which decreases the probability that he or she will engage in the behavior.

A motorist who observes another driver being pulled over and ticketed for speeding and, as a result, decreases his or her own speed is demonstrating the effects of vicarious punishment, as is a child who observes a classmate losing privileges for talking in class and then decreases his or her disruptive behavior in the classroom.

The degree to which the observer is likely to change his or her behavior depends on a number of variables. People are more likely to learn from models that sustain their attention, such as those who are high in stature, desirability, attractiveness, likeability, and successfulness. The characteristics of the observer and the observed situation must be such that the observer is able to retain the information observed regarding the consequences of the model's behavior. Moreover, the observer must possess the skills, both physical and cognitive, to change the behavior in question. In addition, the motivation of the observer must be considered. An observer's motivation for a behavior is often influenced by his or her perception of the utility of that behavior to them.

Similar to many traditional behaviorists, Bandura believed that punishment, whether vicarious or direct, [Page 1086]does not work as well as reinforcement to change one's behavior or extinction procedures. More specifically, Bandura asserted that vicarious punishment, like direct punishment, might result in the unintended consequences of general inhibition, socially undesirable behaviors, and avoidance of the punishing agent.