The difference between punishment and negative reinforcement is that
A) punishment increases the target response, while negative reinforcement decreases the target response.
B) punishment decreases the target response, while negative reinforcement increases the target response.
C) in punishment, the target response terminates the aversive stimulus.
D) in negative reinforcement, the response increases the likelihood of the aversive stimulus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Punishment is used to decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring by presenting an aversive consequence. Negative reinforcement is used to increase the likelihood of a behavior recurring by removing an aversive consequence. Therefore, punishment decreases the target response, while negative reinforcement increases the target response. Choice A is incorrect because punishment does not increase the target response. Choice C is incorrect because terminating the aversive stimulus is the consequence of the target response, not a characteristic of punishment. Choice D is incorrect because negative reinforcement does not involve the response increasing the likelihood of the aversive stimulus; rather, it involves the removal of the aversive stimulus.

The Difference Between Punishment and Negative Reinforcement Is That