Theory of Personality (D564) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Skinner's principle of negative reinforcement is focused on the concept of enhancing the likelihood of a behavior by removing an unpleasant or aversive stimulus. This process is essential in operant conditioning, where behaviors are shaped based on their consequences. When an aversive stimulus is presented, and a particular behavior is performed to remove that stimulus, the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future increases.

For instance, if a student studies hard to avoid poor grades (the aversive stimulus), their behavior of studying is reinforced because it removes the fear of failure. This form of reinforcement is different from positive reinforcement, where a desirable stimulus is added to encourage a behavior. Understanding this distinction is crucial in psychology when analyzing how behaviors can be modified and maintained.