Which term describes removing a stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring?

• A. Positive Reinforcement
• B. Negative Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Extinction

Answer: (B)

Removing an aversive stimulus after a behavior increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again. This is what negative reinforcement describes. When the unpleasant thing is removed as a result of the behavior, that relief reinforces and strengthens the behavior for the future. For example, finishing a task to stop someone's nagging makes the person more likely to finish tasks again to avoid the nagging. This differs from positive reinforcement, which adds something pleasant to boost a behavior, and from punishment, which adds or removes something unpleasant to decrease a behavior. Extinction involves withholding reinforcement, causing the behavior to fade over time.