Which term describes removing a reward following an undesired behavior?

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

Answer: (B)

Removing a reward after an undesired behavior is negative punishment. This approach aims to decrease the undesired behavior by taking away something the dog values, so the consequence makes the behavior less likely to occur again. For example, if a dog barks for attention and you stop giving attention, you’re removing the reward of attention to reduce barking.

This differs from negative reinforcement, which increases a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus (not removing a reward). It also differs from positive punishment, which adds an aversive consequence after the undesired behavior to decrease it. And it’s the opposite of positive reinforcement, which adds a reward to increase a desired behavior.