Driving in heavy traffic makes Hal anxious and sometimes angry. He leaves home earlier than usual one morning and doesn't run into heavy traffic. He leaves home earlier again the next morning,and again he avoids heavy traffic. His behaviour of leaving home earlier is strengthened by the consequence of the avoidance of heavy traffic. What kind of reinforcement has occurred?
A)negative reinforcement
B)extinction
C)punishment
D)positive reinforcement

Question

Driving in heavy traffic makes Hal anxious and sometimes angry. He leaves home earlier than usual one morning and doesn't run into heavy traffic. He leaves home earlier again the next morning,and again he avoids heavy traffic. His behaviour of leaving home earlier is strengthened by the consequence of the avoidance of heavy traffic. What kind of reinforcement has occurred?
A)negative reinforcement  
B)extinction  
C)punishment  
D)positive reinforcement

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an unpleasant consequence. In this case, Hal's behavior of leaving home earlier is strengthened by the avoidance of heavy traffic, which is an unpleasant consequence for him.

Driving in Heavy Traffic Makes Hal Anxious and Sometimes Angry