Which type of consequence involves providing something that is unpleasant?

The concept of providing something that is unpleasant aligns with the definition of positive punishment. In operant conditioning, positive punishment refers to the addition of an aversive consequence following a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. By introducing an unpleasant stimulus after an undesired behavior occurs, it serves as a deterrent, aiming to discourage that behavior.

For instance, if a child touches a hot stove and is subsequently scolded or experiences pain, that unpleasant experience may lead them to avoid touching the stove in the future. This reinforces the idea that positive punishment is about adding something unpleasant to reduce behavior.

In contrast, other options revolve around different types of consequences: positive reinforcement involves adding a pleasant stimulus to encourage behavior, negative reinforcement entails removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage behavior, and negative punishment involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior. Each of these operates on distinct principles that focus on either increasing or decreasing behaviors through different mechanisms.