When something bad is taken away but a desired behavior is nonetheless rewarded, the process of __________ has occurred.
A) negative reinforcement
B) positive reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of a negative or unpleasant stimulus to increase the frequency or likelihood of a desired behavior. In this scenario, the bad thing being taken away is the negative stimulus, and the desired behavior is being rewarded, so negative reinforcement has occurred. Positive reinforcement would involve rewarding a desired behavior with something pleasant, while positive punishment would involve adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the frequency of an undesired behavior, and negative punishment would involve taking away a pleasant stimulus to decrease the frequency of an undesired behavior.

When Something Bad Is Taken Away but a Desired Behavior