Special Warfare (SW) Instructor Qualification Course (IQC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free SW IQC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The process of reducing a behavior by removing a favorable stimulus is known as negative punishment. This concept operates on the principle that by taking away something desirable or reinforcing, the likelihood of the undesired behavior occurring again decreases. For instance, if a child who mischievously interrupts class is no longer allowed to participate in a fun group activity, the removal of that enjoyable activity serves as a consequence aimed at decreasing the interruption behavior.

This approach contrasts with other terms where reinforcing or adding elements to modify behavior is involved. Positive punishment, for example, entails adding an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior, while negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior. Positive reinforcement focuses on adding a favorable stimulus to encourage a desired behavior. Each of these concepts highlights different mechanisms through which behavior can be modified, but in the context of the question, the correct term for removing a favorable stimulus to reduce behavior is negative punishment.