Which of the following describes the process of removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage desired behavior?

The process of removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage a desired behavior is accurately described as negative reinforcement. This concept involves the strengthening of a behavior by the removal of an adverse condition or unpleasant experience. For instance, if a student finds their homework assignment overwhelming and, as a result, the teacher decides to eliminate a portion of it, the removal of that unpleasant stimulus (the excessive homework) is likely to encourage the student to engage in their work more positively.

In this scenario, negative reinforcement is not about administering punishment but rather about promoting a desired behavior by creating a more favorable environment through the elimination of negative factors. This aligns with the principles of behavioral psychology, where reinforcement (both positive and negative) is used to increase the likelihood of a specific behavior occurring in the future.