What is the outcome when an unpleasant stimulus is removed in negative reinforcement?

Negative reinforcement is a behavioral concept in operant conditioning. When an unpleasant stimulus is removed, it increases the likelihood of a desired behavior being repeated in the future. This is because the removal of the negative stimulus is perceived as a relief or reward, which increases the probability that the behavior that led to the removal will occur again.

For example, if a student studies harder to avoid the unpleasant experience of failing an exam, the removal of potential failure (the unpleasant stimulus) reinforces the studying behavior. As a result, negative reinforcement leads to behavior being increased because individuals are motivated to engage in actions that will help them avoid negative outcomes in the future.

This principle is essential in understanding how behavior can be shaped through consequences, making it clear why the conclusion that the behavior is increased when an unpleasant stimulus is removed is accurate.