Which of the following best describes the effect of negative punishment?

The effect of negative punishment is accurately described by the option that states it decreases behavior by taking away something preferred. In behavioral terms, negative punishment involves the removal of a reinforcing stimulus following a behavior, which leads to a decrease in the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

For example, if a child misbehaves and loses access to a favorite toy as a consequence, the removal of that toy (a preferred item) is intended to decrease the occurrence of the misbehavior. This aligns perfectly with the definition of negative punishment where the focus is on reducing unwanted behaviors through the loss of something enjoyable or valuable to the individual.

Understanding this concept is critical because it highlights the importance of how consequences can shape behavior, specifically in educational settings where promoting positive behavior is key to creating conducive learning environments.