Which reaction occurs to a reduction in anxiety following a specific behavior, leading to its repetition?

The correct answer is based on the principle of negative reinforcement, which occurs when a behavior is strengthened by the removal of an aversive stimulus. In this context, when an individual experiences anxiety, engaging in a specific behavior may help reduce that anxiety. The relief from anxiety acts as an aversive stimulus that is removed through the behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future.

This process is essential in understanding behavioral responses; it highlights how individuals can learn to associate specific actions with the alleviation of negative feelings. When the anxiety dissipates following the behavior, it reinforces the behavior, leading to its recurrence in similar circumstances.

This concept is distinct from punishment, which seeks to decrease the likelihood of a behavior. In negative punishment, a desirable stimulus is removed to discourage a behavior, while positive punishment involves introducing an aversive stimulus to deter a behavior. Positive reinforcement would involve adding a pleasant stimulus to increase a behavior, which does not apply in this case since we are focusing on the reduction of something negative (anxiety) rather than the addition of something positive.