What type of reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable consequence?

B is the correct answer because negative reinforcement is a concept in behavioral psychology that refers to the process of strengthening a desired behavior by removing an unpleasant or undesirable stimulus when that behavior occurs. For example, if a student completes their assignments on time to avoid being scolded by a teacher, the removal of the scolding (the undesirable consequence) reinforces the behavior of submitting assignments punctually.

This is distinct from positive reinforcement, which involves adding a favorable outcome or reward after the desired behavior occurs to encourage its repetition. Punishment, on the other hand, involves introducing an adverse consequence or removing a positive stimulus in response to undesirable behavior, with the aim of decreasing that behavior. Extinction refers to the disappearance of a behavior when it is no longer reinforced, which does not involve removing an undesirable consequence.

Thus, negative reinforcement specifically focuses on the removal of an aversive condition to promote desirable behavior, making it the appropriate choice.