In operant conditioning, which quadrant increases a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus?

• A. Positive reinforcement
• B. Negative reinforcement
• C. Positive punishment
• D. Negative punishment

Answer: (B)

Negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus after the behavior occurs. In training, you might apply something unpleasant to prompt a response, and once the desired behavior happens, that unpleasant thing is taken away. The dog learns to repeat the behavior to avoid the discomfort in the future, so the behavior becomes more likely.

For example, if a dog feels pressure on a leash and then that pressure is released when the dog stops pulling, the release serves as a relief that reinforces walking calmly. This is different from positive reinforcement, which strengthens behavior by adding a pleasant consequence (like a treat). It also differs from positive punishment, which strengthens a misbehavior by adding an unpleasant consequence, and negative punishment, which weakens a behavior by taking away a pleasant thing.