What is the potential outcome of utilizing negative reinforcement effectively?

Utilizing negative reinforcement effectively can lead to improved compliance with requests, as it involves the removal of an aversive stimulus contingent upon a desired behavior. In other words, when an individual engages in a behavior that is followed by the termination or avoidance of an unpleasant experience, they are more likely to repeat that behavior in the future to achieve the same outcome.

For example, if a child completes their homework to avoid being reprimanded, the removal of the reprimand serves as negative reinforcement, thereby increasing the likelihood that the child will comply with homework requests in the future. This demonstrates how behavior can be shaped positively through the strategic implementation of negative reinforcement.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the desired outcomes of effective negative reinforcement. An increase in undesired behaviors or decreased motivation are generally not associated with proper use of negative reinforcement, and while there may be instances where behavior variability can decrease, this is not a guaranteed outcome and typically does not reflect the primary goal of using negative reinforcement in behavior modification strategies.