Bill, an eight-year old boy often complains of stomach pain in the mornings before school. He has learned that his mother sometimes allows him to miss school when he says he is sick. Allowing him to miss school (which he really does not like to go to), is a form of _________ ?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened because it is followed by the removal of an unpleasant stimulus. In this case, Bill's behavior of complaining about stomach pain is reinforced because it leads to the removal of an unpleasant situation for him, which is going to school.

Bill, an Eight-Year Old Boy Often Complains of Stomach Pain