Which situation exemplifies negative reinforcement by withholding a preferred item to increase a desired behavior?

• A. Giving a treat after the behavior
• B. Withholding a preferred item to increase desired behavior
• C. Scolding after the behavior
• D. Ignoring the dog

Answer: (B)

Negative reinforcement is about removing something undesirable as a consequence of the desired behavior, so the behavior is more likely to occur in the future. In this case, withholding a preferred item creates a mild deprivation state—the dog wants that item. When the dog performs the desired behavior, the deprivation is relieved by granting access to the item. The result is the dog learning to perform the behavior to end the deprivation and gain the reward, which strengthens that behavior.

Giving a treat after the behavior is an example of positive reinforcement (adding a reward to strengthen the behavior). Scolding after the behavior is positive punishment (adding an aversive to decrease the behavior). Ignoring the dog is negative punishment (removing a positive stimulus to decrease the behavior).