What defines positive punishment?

Positive punishment is defined as the addition of an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which leads to a decrease in the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future. This concept is rooted in operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified through the use of consequences.

When an aversive stimulus is introduced, it serves as a form of "punishment" because the individual experiences an unpleasant consequence as a result of their actions. The goal is to discourage the specific behavior that was followed by this aversive consequence. For example, if a child touches a hot stove and feels pain, that painful experience will likely deter them from touching the stove again in the future.

The other options do not align with the definition of positive punishment: removing a positive stimulus pertains to negative punishment, providing additional rewards relates to reinforcement, and ignoring unwanted behavior typically reinforces it by providing no consequence. These alternatives highlight different behavioral principles that do not involve the introduction of an aversive stimulus aimed at reducing a behavior.