Which statement best defines negative reinforcement?

• A. A behavior is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus, which increases the likelihood of that behavior in the future.
• B. A behavior is followed by presenting an aversive stimulus, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior.
• C. A behavior is followed by the presentation of a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior.
• D. A behavior is followed by removal of a desirable stimulus to increase behavior.

Answer: (A)

Negative reinforcement strengthens a behavior when an unpleasant condition is removed right after that behavior occurs, making the behavior more likely to happen again in the future. For example, if pressing a button stops a loud alarm, the act of pressing the button is reinforced because the aversive sound is removed. Over time, the response is more likely whenever the alarm is present.

This differs from punishment, which adds something aversive after a behavior to decrease it. The option that describes presenting an aversive stimulus to reduce the behavior fits punishment, not negative reinforcement. The other described scenarios involve presenting desirable stimuli or removing desirable stimuli to influence behavior, which do not capture the idea of increasing a behavior through the removal of an aversive stimulus.