Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Practice Test

How does negative reinforcement function?

1. Aversive stimulus is added to increase behavior

2. Aversive stimulus is removed to increase behavior

3. A stimulus is presented to decrease behavior

4. Behavior is reinforced by complete elimination of the stimulus

The correct answer is: Aversive stimulus is removed to increase behavior

Negative reinforcement functions by removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior occurring in the future. This process is grounded in the principle of operant conditioning, where the removal of an unpleasant or aversive condition leads to the strengthening of a behavior. For instance, if a student studies hard to avoid the stress of failing a test, the removal of the fear of failure serves as a reinforcing factor for their study habits. In this situation, the unpleasant feeling associated with the possibility of failing is the aversive stimulus that is lifted when the student engages in the desired behavior of studying. This understanding of negative reinforcement highlights how it differs from punishment and positive reinforcement. In positive reinforcement, a stimulus is added to encourage behavior, while punishment seeks to decrease a behavior through the introduction of an aversive stimulus or the removal of a positive one, neither of which aligns with the removal aspect of negative reinforcement. Therefore, the correct understanding of how negative reinforcement operates is crucial in applied behavior analysis, particularly in creating effective behavioral interventions.