What is the process called when a specific stimulus is removed following a response, leading to a decreased likelihood of that response happening again?

The process described is known as negative punishment. This occurs when a specific stimulus, often viewed as a desirable or pleasant consequence, is removed following a behavior or response. The result of this removal is a decrease in the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future.

For example, if a child is playing video games and then loses their gaming privileges (the stimulus) due to misbehavior, this removal is intended to reduce the likelihood of that misbehavior occurring again. The focus is on taking away something to discourage an unwanted behavior.

In contrast, other concepts mentioned do not fit this definition. Positive reinforcement involves adding a stimulus to increase a response, while positive punishment involves adding a stimulus to decrease a response. Operant conditioning, while it relates broadly to the principles of reinforcement and punishment, does not specifically refer to the removal of a stimulus. Thus, negative punishment accurately describes the scenario where the removal leads to a decrease in behavior.