negative reinforcement

noun

The removal of a discouraging stimulus associated with a particular behaviour with the result that it is more likely to be repeated.

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Meanings

nounnegative reinforcement (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe removal of a discouraging stimulus associated with a particular behaviour with the result that it is more likely to be repeated.

    With negative reinforcement, by removing something aversive, the likelihood that the behavior will occur again is increased.

    2015, Ilona Rodan, Sarah Heath, editors, Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare, Elsevier Health Sciences, →ISBN, page 46

Translations

Danish negativ forstærkning
  • negativ forstærkningnegative reinforcement
Finnish kielteinen vahvistaminen
  • kielteinen vahvistaminennegative reinforcement
German negative Verstärkung
  • negative Verstärkungnegative reinforcement
Portuguese reforço negativo
  • reforço negativonegative reinforcement
Cite this entry
APA

negative reinforcement. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20reinforcement

MLA

“negative reinforcement.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20reinforcement. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “negative reinforcement,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20reinforcement.

Source: negative reinforcement on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.