FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In which technique does a teacher take away a desirable reward to deter undesirable behavior?

1. Positive reinforcement

2. Shaping

3. Negative punishment

4. Constructivism

The correct answer is: Negative punishment

The technique that involves taking away a desirable reward to deter undesirable behavior is known as negative punishment. This approach is grounded in the principles of behaviorism, where the goal is to reduce the likelihood of an unwanted behavior occurring in the future. By removing a positive stimulus, such as privileges, time with friends, or participation in a fun activity, the teacher creates a consequence that discourages the behavior in question. Negative punishment operates on the idea that when a student enjoys a particular reward or activity, its removal serves as a disincentive. For example, if a student is frequently disruptive in class and, as a consequence, loses their privilege to participate in a class activity they enjoy, they are likely to understand the connection and be motivated to change their behavior in order to regain that privilege. In contrast, positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to encourage good behavior, shaping focuses on gradually molding behavior through successive approximations, and constructivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the role of learners in constructing their own understanding and knowledge. Each of these other techniques has a different purpose and method than negative punishment, highlighting the specific nature of the technique in question.