What characterizes negative punishment?

Negative punishment is characterized by the removal of a stimulus following a behavior, which leads to a decrease in the future occurrence of that behavior. In this context, "removing a stimulus" typically refers to taking away something that is perceived as pleasant or rewarding to reduce the likelihood of a behavior happening again. For example, if a child loses their privileges (like screen time) for misbehaving, the removal of that privilege is intended to decrease the chances of the misbehavior occurring in the future.

This process aligns directly with the principles of operant conditioning where behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them. By removing a favorable stimulus, the intention is to discourage the unwanted behavior effectively. Therefore, this understanding of negative punishment is crucial in behavior modification strategies employed in various settings, including behavior therapy for children with developmental disorders.