NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Practice Exam

How does negative reinforcement differ from positive reinforcement?

1. It involves adding a stimulus after a behavior

2. It strengthens a behavior by removing an undesirable consequence

3. It includes punishment to reduce behavior recurrence

4. It creates a penalty for undesired actions

The correct answer is: It strengthens a behavior by removing an undesirable consequence

Negative reinforcement is a behavioral concept that strengthens a behavior by removing an undesirable consequence. This means that when a specific behavior leads to the removal of something unpleasant or aversive, that behavior is more likely to be repeated in the future. For example, if a student studies to avoid the anxiety of failing a test, the act of studying is reinforced by the removal of that anxiety. The other choices describe aspects of behavior modification but do not accurately capture the essence of negative reinforcement. The first option refers to positive reinforcement, where a stimulus is added to encourage a behavior. The third option relates more to punishment, which is about decreasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again rather than reinforcing positive behavior. Lastly, the fourth option implies a punitive measure rather than the removal of an aversive stimulus, which is central to the concept of negative reinforcement. Therefore, recognizing that negative reinforcement focuses on the removal of an aversive factor to encourage a specific behavior is crucial for understanding its role in behavior modification.