Which describes a punisher?

A punisher is defined as a stimulus change that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future. When a specific behavior is followed by a punishing stimulus, the individual is less likely to engage in that behavior again, as they seek to avoid the unpleasant consequence. This definition is integral to understanding the principles of operant conditioning, where the consequences of a behavior determine future behavior patterns.

In the context of behavioral analysis, punishers can be either positive or negative, but their key characteristic is their effect on behavior, specifically reducing the frequency of that behavior. The other options refer to concepts related to reinforcement or neutral stimuli, which do not align with the core function of a punisher in behavior analysis. Understanding this concept is essential when applying behavioral strategies in various settings, such as educational or therapeutic environments.