A stimulus that, when removed following a response, results in a weakening of that response (2 words)?

A stimulus that, when removed following a response, results in a weakening of that response (2 words)?

• A. Time-in
• B. Abate
• C. Discriminative stimulus
• D. Negative punisher

Answer: (D)

Negative punishment weakens a behavior by taking away a desirable stimulus after the behavior occurs. The two-word label “negative punisher” fits this idea exactly: the stimulus that is removed reduces the likelihood of the response happening again. For example, losing a privilege or access to a favorite item after misbehavior makes that misbehavior less likely in the future. This differs from negative reinforcement, which strengthens a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. A discriminative stimulus signals when reinforcement is available, not about removing something after a response. The other terms don’t fit the description of removing a stimulus to decrease the behavior.

Negative punishment weakens a behavior by taking away a desirable stimulus after the behavior occurs. The two-word label “negative punisher” fits this idea exactly: the stimulus that is removed reduces the likelihood of the response happening again. For example, losing a privilege or access to a favorite item after misbehavior makes that misbehavior less likely in the future.

This differs from negative reinforcement, which strengthens a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. A discriminative stimulus signals when reinforcement is available, not about removing something after a response. The other terms don’t fit the description of removing a stimulus to decrease the behavior.