What is the main characteristic of negative reinforcement?

Negative reinforcement is primarily defined by the removal of an undesirable stimulus, which increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future. This process enhances the occurrence of specific behaviors by creating a more favorable environment. For example, if a student studies to avoid poor grades, the unpleasant experience of failing is negated when they successfully learn and perform well in their studies.

The removal of the unpleasant stimulus (bad grades) reinforces the positive behavior (studying), leading to improved academic performance. This understanding emphasizes that negative reinforcement is not about punishment or applying undesirable outcomes, but rather about alleviating something distressing, thus positively influencing behavior.