What describes positive punishment?

• A. A dog's behavior makes a good thing happen
• B. A dog's behavior makes a bad thing happen
• C. A dog is ignored after misbehavior
• D. A dog receives a reward for good behavior

Answer: (B)

Positive punishment means adding an aversive consequence after an undesired behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior happening again. The option that says a dog’s behavior makes a bad thing happen fits this idea best: the behavior triggers something unpleasant, so the dog learns to avoid that behavior to escape the consequence. This is different from positive reinforcement, where you add something desirable to increase a behavior (a reward for good behavior). Ignoring the dog after misbehavior involves withholding attention (not adding an aversive consequence), which is a different method. Giving a reward for good behavior is also positive reinforcement, not positive punishment.