Which of the following would be considered a negative reinforcement?

• A. Grounding a teenager who returns home after curfew
• B. Receiving a traffic ticket for speeding
• C. Taking an aspirin when you have a headache
• D. A child who had previously been whining about wanting candy becomes quiet after getting the candy

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of negative reinforcement: Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
2. Identify the unpleasant stimulus in each scenario: For example, a headache is an unpleasant stimulus.
3. Determine if the behavior leads to the removal of the unpleasant stimulus: Taking an aspirin removes the headache, which is the unpleasant stimulus.
4. Evaluate if the removal of the unpleasant stimulus increases the likelihood of the behavior: If taking an aspirin when having a headache leads to relief, the person is more likely to take aspirin again in the future.
5. Compare with other options: Grounding and receiving a ticket are punishments, not reinforcements, and giving candy to stop whining is positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement.