When a stimulus is removed from the environment, and the behavior of interest increases over time, this is referred to as what type of operant contingency?

• A. Positive Reinforcement
• B. Negative Punishment
• C. Positive Punishment
• D. Negative Reinforcement

Answer: (D)

Negative reinforcement is the idea that removing an unpleasant stimulus after a behavior occurs increases the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. In your scenario, once the aversive stimulus is taken away, the learner is more likely to repeat the behavior to keep that relief coming, so the behavior rises over time. For example, if a loud noise stops as soon as the learner starts working, they learn that starting to work ends the aversive noise, so they’re more likely to start work sooner in the future. This isn’t punishment—it’s about taking away something undesirable to strengthen the behavior. Positive reinforcement would add a desirable outcome to strengthen a behavior, while punishment involves adding or removing stimuli to decrease behavior.