Final answer:
Effectiveness of punishment is maximized when it is immediate and contingent upon the behavior, while option B is incorrect as it describes a reinforcement schedule, not punishment. Option D's suggestion that mild intensity is most effective is debatable.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how factors influence the effectiveness of punishment, the following statements are accurate based on the principles of operant conditioning and psychological research:
- A. Punishment is most effective when it is administered as immediately as possible after the behavior occurs. This immediacy helps the individual make a clear connection between the undesirable behavior and the punishment, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will be suppressed.
- C. Punishment is most effective when it is contingent on the behavior being punished occurring. Contingency ensures that punishment is consistently linked to the specific behavior, which helps establish a pattern that can deter the behavior in the future.
Option B is not considered accurate as a fixed-ratio 5 schedule is a type of reinforcement schedule, not punishment, and thus doesn't make sense in the context of punishment effectiveness. Lastly, regarding option D, more intense punishment may lead to better immediate suppression of the behavior, but mild punishment is less likely to cause side effects such as fear or aggression.