FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is negative reinforcement?

1. A method of punishment to decrease unwanted behavior

2. A technique for rewarding positive behavior

3. A method of removing an adverse stimulus to strengthen behavior

4. A strategy to promote consequences for behaviors

The correct answer is: A method of removing an adverse stimulus to strengthen behavior

Negative reinforcement is correctly identified as the method of removing an adverse stimulus to strengthen behavior. In this context, negative reinforcement involves the removal of something unpleasant or aversive to encourage a desired behavior. For instance, if a student completes their assignments on time and as a result, they no longer have to do additional homework, the removal of the extra homework (the adverse stimulus) reinforces the behavior of completing assignments promptly. This process increases the likelihood that the student will continue to demonstrate the desired behavior in the future. Other options discuss concepts that don't capture the essence of negative reinforcement. For example, punishment, as mentioned in one of the other choices, typically aims to decrease an undesired behavior rather than strengthen a desired one. Similarly, rewarding positive behaviors implies adding a pleasant consequence rather than removing an adverse one. Promoting consequences for behaviors generally refers to a broader category of behavioral responses that include both reinforcement and punishment, but doesn't specifically address the targeted removal aspect that is essential to understanding negative reinforcement.