What type of reinforcement occurs when a negative stimulus is removed?

The type of reinforcement described in the question is negative reinforcement. This occurs when a negative stimulus is removed as a consequence of a behavior, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. In essence, negative reinforcement strengthens behaviors by alleviating an unpleasant condition. For example, if a student studies to avoid the stress of not understanding the material, the removal of that stress after studying serves as negative reinforcement.

Understanding this concept is essential in behavioral methods, as it illustrates how individuals might be motivated to change their behavior not just to gain something positive, but also to escape or avoid something negative. In contrast, other forms of reinforcement, such as positive reinforcement, involve adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior, while primary and secondary reinforcements refer to the types of stimuli used. Primary reinforcers are innately reinforcing, whereas secondary reinforcers acquire their value through association with primary reinforcers.