Negative reinforcement is a concept in psychology that involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase a desired behavior. For example, if a student studies hard to avoid getting a bad grade, the removal of the anxiety associated with failing serves as a reward for their effort. This encourages the student to continue studying in the future.
In this context, negative reinforcement is not about punishment; rather, it focuses on strengthening behavior by eliminating negative outcomes. It is often used in various settings, including education and animal training, to promote positive actions by reducing discomfort or stress associated with certain tasks.