Which type of reinforcer increases behavior when removed?

Which type of reinforcer increases behavior when removed?

• A. Positive Reinforcer
• B. Environment
• C. Negative Reinforcer
• D. Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

Answer: (C)

Negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior because the consequence involves removing something aversive. When the unwanted stimulus is taken away after the behavior, that removal reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to occur again to escape or avoid the aversive condition. A common example is buckling a seat belt to stop the car’s beeping; the removal of the annoying sound reinforces buckling. This is different from positive reinforcement, which adds something pleasant to increase a behavior. A discriminative stimulus is a cue signaling that reinforcement is available, not the reinforcing effect itself, and the environment isn’t a type of reinforcer.

Negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior because the consequence involves removing something aversive. When the unwanted stimulus is taken away after the behavior, that removal reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to occur again to escape or avoid the aversive condition. A common example is buckling a seat belt to stop the car’s beeping; the removal of the annoying sound reinforces buckling. This is different from positive reinforcement, which adds something pleasant to increase a behavior. A discriminative stimulus is a cue signaling that reinforcement is available, not the reinforcing effect itself, and the environment isn’t a type of reinforcer.