Which term describes the consequences that discourage or weaken a behavior?

Which term describes the consequences that discourage or weaken a behavior?

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Positive reinforcement
• C. Spontaneous recovery
• D. Punishment

Answer: (D)

When a consequence makes a behavior less likely to happen again, that consequence is a punishment. Punishment reduces the probability of the behavior by adding something aversive (positive punishment) or taking away something desirable (negative punishment). This differs from reinforcement, which aims to strengthen behavior by adding a rewarding stimulus (positive reinforcement) or removing an unpleasant one (negative reinforcement). Spontaneous recovery, on the other hand, is when a previously extinguished behavior briefly returns after a break, which isn’t about discouraging consequences.

When a consequence makes a behavior less likely to happen again, that consequence is a punishment. Punishment reduces the probability of the behavior by adding something aversive (positive punishment) or taking away something desirable (negative punishment). This differs from reinforcement, which aims to strengthen behavior by adding a rewarding stimulus (positive reinforcement) or removing an unpleasant one (negative reinforcement). Spontaneous recovery, on the other hand, is when a previously extinguished behavior briefly returns after a break, which isn’t about discouraging consequences.