How does negative reinforcement encourage specific behaviors?

How does negative reinforcement encourage specific behaviors?

• A. Removing unwanted stimuli
• B. Adding desired stimuli
• C. Punishing clients for unwanted behavior
• D. Extinction of stimuli

Answer: (A)

Negative reinforcement strengthens a behavior by removing an aversive condition right after the behavior occurs. When the unwanted stimulus is taken away, the person is more likely to repeat that behavior to avoid or escape the uncomfortable situation in the future. For example, if a student completes homework and the teacher stops nagging, the student is reinforced to do homework again. This differs from adding a pleasant stimulus after the behavior (positive reinforcement), which increases the behavior by presenting something desirable. It also isn’t about punishment, which aims to decrease behavior, nor about extinction, which removes reinforcement over time and leads to a decrease in the behavior.