What is negative reinforcement?

• A. The weakening of behavior by applying an aversive stimulus.
• B. The strengthening of behavior by withholding of unpleasant events like corrections.
• C. The introduction of a pleasant event after a command.
• D. The reduction of a behavior by punishing with a leash correction.

Answer: (B)

Negative reinforcement is about strengthening a desired behavior by removing an aversive stimulus after the behavior occurs. In training a working dog, when the dog performs the desired action and the unpleasant pressure or correction is taken away, the dog learns to repeat that action to escape the discomfort. That’s why the description of “the strengthening of behavior by withholding unpleasant events like corrections” is the best fit.

For contrast: adding an aversive stimulus to punish a behavior is positive punishment; presenting a pleasant event after a command is positive reinforcement; reducing a behavior by punishing with a leash correction is punishment. An example would be releasing leash pressure as soon as the dog stops pulling, which reinforces stopping pulling in the future.