How does negative reinforcement differ from positive reinforcement?

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior occurring in the future. This process can be better understood through the concept of relief; when a person takes an action that removes something aversive (like taking pain medication to alleviate pain), the behavior is reinforced because it leads to a more favorable situation.

In contrast, positive reinforcement adds a pleasant stimulus in response to a behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

The other options do not accurately represent the fundamental difference between negative and positive reinforcement. Introducing confusion in behavior does not specifically relate to the principles of reinforcement, and the effectiveness of reinforcement does not inherently hinge on its classification as negative or positive. Rather, both types can be effective in promoting behavior change depending on the context.