Negative reinforcement involves what?

• A. Presentation of aversive stimulus to decrease behavior
• B. Presentation of positive stimulus to increase behavior
• C. Withdrawal of pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior
• D. Withdrawal of aversive stimulus to increase behavior

Answer: (D)

Negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing something unpleasant when the behavior occurs. The relief from the aversive stimulus strengthens the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. For example, removing a loud beeping or nagging once the desired action is performed makes that action more likely in the future. This is different from punishment, which adds something aversive to discourage a behavior, or positive reinforcement, which adds something pleasant to encourage a behavior. It’s also not about removing a pleasant thing to decrease behavior—that would be negative punishment.