How is negative reinforcement best defined?

Negative reinforcement is best defined as a scenario where a behavior is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus, which increases the future frequency of that behavior. This phenomenon relies on the principle that the alleviation or removal of something unpleasant reinforces the behavior that brought about that change.

For instance, consider a person who takes pain relief medication (the behavior) that relieves their headache (the aversive stimulus). The experience of relief strengthens the likelihood that they will take the medication again when they have a headache in the future. This illustrates how avoiding or removing an undesirable condition encourages the repetition of a behavior.

The other choices involve different concepts of reinforcement and punishment. The mention of a negative consequence that reduces future occurrences refers to punishment rather than reinforcement. Praising a behavior is a classic example of positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement. Lastly, a behavior being punished does not align with the definition of reinforcement as it describes a process that decreases the likelihood of the behavior happening again. This contrast highlights why the correct definition specifically focuses on the removal of aversive stimuli to promote behavior.