An annoying seat belt reminder illustrates which conditioning concept?

• A. Positive reinforcement
• B. Punishment
• C. Negative punishment
• D. Negative reinforcement

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is negative reinforcement: removing an unpleasant stimulus to strengthen a behavior. The seat belt reminder is an annoying sound that stays on when you’re not buckled. Buckling up stops the annoyance, so the act of buckling is reinforced because it ends the unpleasant experience. That makes you more likely to buckle up next time.

This isn’t positive reinforcement, which would involve adding something pleasant for buckling. It isn’t punishment, which would add something aversive to discourage not buckling, and it isn’t negative punishment, which would take away something desirable after not buckling. The scenario fits negative reinforcement because the behavior is strengthened by the removal of an aversive cue.