Which method uses punishment to reduce a behavior?

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Aversive conditioning
• C. Flooding/exposure
• D. Systematic desensitization

Answer: (B)

Aversive conditioning uses punishment to reduce a behavior. It works by pairing an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus, so the behavior becomes less likely to occur in the future. This is different from reinforcement, which aims to increase a behavior by adding a reward or removing an unpleasant element.

The other approaches are focused on reducing fear or anxiety rather than punishing behavior. Flooding or exposure involves confronting the feared stimulus all at once to extinguish the fear response, while systematic desensitization gradually pairs relaxation with gradual exposure to the fear-provoking situation. These techniques rely on changing how a person responds through exposure and learning, not through punishment.