Definition

Noun: A negative reinforcing stimulus is a specific type of reinforcing stimulus in behavioral psychology. Its removal following a behavior makes that behavior more likely to occur again in the future. It strengthens a response by terminating or allowing escape from an aversive (unpleasant) condition.

Usage Notes

• This term is a core concept in operant conditioning, a theory of learning developed by B.F. Skinner.
• The "negative" refers to the of a stimulus, not to its quality. The stimulus itself is typically aversive or unpleasant.
• The process is called negative reinforcement. The stimulus is the "negative reinforcer."

Examples

• Taking a painkiller (behavior) to remove a headache (negative reinforcing stimulus). The removal of pain reinforces pill-taking.
• Putting on sunglasses (behavior) to remove bright, glaring light (negative reinforcing stimulus). The removal of glare reinforces wearing sunglasses.
• A student studies diligently (behavior) to avoid the aversive feeling of anxiety about failing (negative reinforcing stimulus). The reduction of anxiety reinforces studying.
• Pressing the "snooze" button on an alarm (behavior) stops the loud, unpleasant noise (negative reinforcing stimulus). The removal of the noise reinforces pressing snooze.

Advanced Usage & Clarification

• Crucial Distinction from Punishment: Negative reinforcement a behavior. Punishment (positive or negative) a behavior. For example, a speeding ticket (positive punishment) aims to decrease speeding. Using cruise control to avoid a ticket (behavior) is negatively reinforced by removing the threat of the ticket.
• Escape vs. Avoidance Learning: Negative reinforcement underpins both.
  • Escape: The behavior terminates an ongoing aversive stimulus (e.g., leaving a noisy room).
  • Avoidance: The behavior prevents the aversive stimulus from occurring at all (e.g., taking an umbrella to avoid getting wet).

Variants and Related Words

• Negative Reinforcer: A fully synonymous term.
• Aversive Stimulus: The general term for an unpleasant stimulus. A negative reinforcing stimulus is a type of aversive stimulus that, when its removal is contingent on a behavior, reinforces that behavior.
• Negative Reinforcement: The name for the or procedure of strengthening a behavior by removing a stimulus.
• Positive Reinforcing Stimulus: Its counterpart, where the of a (usually pleasant) stimulus strengthens behavior.

Synonyms

• Aversive stimulus (in the specific context of its removal reinforcing behavior)
• Negative reinforcer

Key Distinctions (Not Synonyms)

• Punishment: A process that behavior.
• Positive Reinforcement: Strengthening behavior by a pleasant stimulus.

Noun

1. a reinforcing stimulus whose removal serves to decrease the likelihood of the response that produced it