Removing a token as a result of a response that decreases the probability of that response in the future is an example of what?

The correct answer is negative punishment. This concept involves the removal of a stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In this case, the token serves as a reinforcer that is taken away following a specific response, thereby reducing the probability of that response being repeated.

Negative punishment specifically focuses on the contingent removal of a reinforcing stimulus. When a token is taken away as a result of an undesired response, it involves decreasing the availability of something that was previously reinforcing. This is an important strategy in behavioral interventions, as the aim is to reduce problematic behaviors by eliminating stimuli that encourage those behaviors.

Understanding this principle helps clarify behavioral management techniques, particularly in contexts like teaching and behavioral therapies. It distinguishes it from positive reinforcement, which involves adding a stimulus to increase a behavior, and negative reinforcement, which involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior. The identification of negative punishment is key in various behavioral frameworks, guiding the design of effective interventions for behavior modification.