Negative reinforcement

A learning process in which a behavior becomes more likely because it removes or reduces an unpleasant experience. It is reinforcement, not punishment: the behavior increases.

Operant conditioning: A form of learning in which consequences change the future likelihood of behavior. Negative reinforcement is one consequence-based process within this broader learning framework.
Positive reinforcement: A process in which adding a consequence after a behavior makes that behavior more likely. Both processes increase behavior, but positive reinforcement adds a consequence rather than removing one.
Anxiety disorder: A mental disorder characterized by excessive fear, worry, or related avoidance that causes significant distress or impairment. Avoidance can bring immediate relief while maintaining anxiety over time.
Reinforcement: A consequence-dependent process that increases the future likelihood of a behavior. Negative reinforcement belongs to this broader class because the behavior becomes more likely.
Escape learning: Learning to perform a behavior that terminates an ongoing aversive stimulus. The response is strengthened because it ends discomfort already underway.
Positive punishment: A process in which adding a consequence after a behavior makes that behavior less likely. It adds an aversive consequence and reduces behavior, unlike negative reinforcement.
Exposure therapy: A psychological treatment that repeatedly confronts feared cues or situations without the expected harmful outcome. It reduces reliance on avoidance responses reinforced by short-term relief.
Behavior: An observable action or response by an organism. Reinforcement changes the future likelihood of a particular response.
Avoidance learning: Learning to perform a behavior that prevents or delays an anticipated aversive event. The response gains strength by preventing an unpleasant event before it occurs.
Negative punishment: A process in which removing a valued consequence after a behavior makes that behavior less likely. It removes something desirable to reduce behavior; negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant to increase it.

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