A negative reinforcer is the onea)presence of which moderate the stren...
- A negative reinforcer is a concept from operant conditioning in psychology.
- It refers to the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
- When the negative reinforcer is removed, it strengthens the response.
- For example, taking painkillers to remove a headache is negative reinforcement because the removal of pain (unpleasant stimulus) encourages taking painkillers again.
- Therefore, the correct answer is C: removal of which increases the strength of the response.
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A negative reinforcer is the onea)presence of which moderate the stren...
Understanding Negative Reinforcement
Negative reinforcement is a concept in behavioral psychology that strengthens a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus. It is essential to differentiate between negative reinforcement and punishment, as they serve different purposes in behavior modification.
What is a Negative Reinforcer?
- A negative reinforcer is an unpleasant or aversive condition, the removal of which leads to an increase in the likelihood of a desired behavior.
- For example, consider a student who studies hard to avoid the anxiety of failing an exam. In this case, the anxiety is a negative reinforcer.
Why Option C is Correct
- The correct answer, option C, states that the removal of which increases the strength of the response. This is accurate because:
- **Removal of Aversive Stimuli:** When an aversive condition is removed, it increases the likelihood that the behavior leading to its removal will be repeated.
- **Strengthening Behavior:** By eliminating something unpleasant, the individual feels relief, reinforcing the behavior that caused the removal.
Examples of Negative Reinforcement
- **Seatbelt Alarm:** The annoying sound of the seatbelt alarm stops when the seatbelt is buckled, encouraging the behavior of buckling up.
- **Medication:** Taking pain relief medication removes the pain, reinforcing the behavior of taking the medication when in discomfort.
Conclusion
In summary, negative reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable stimulus, which enhances the likelihood of a specific behavior occurring in the future. Understanding this principle is crucial for effective teaching and behavior management.