Final answer:
Allowing a child to come out of the room only after they have stopped crying is an example of behavior modification, specifically negative punishment, which is a component of operant conditioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Allowing a child to come out of their room when they are done crying is an example of behavior modification using a technique referred to as negative punishment. This is because the child is being removed from a situation that may be desirable (being with others or engaging in play) and is only allowed to return once the undesirable behavior (crying) has ceased. This approach aims to decrease the unwanted behavior by removing a positive element (the child's freedom to be out of their room), thereby conditioning the child to associate the cessation of crying with the ability to rejoin activities.
The idea is that over time, the child will learn that if they want to continue playing or interacting with others, they need to control their emotions and behavior more effectively. This is a part of a larger concept called operant conditioning, a principle extensively researched by B.F. Skinner, where behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow. It's a fundamental concept in the field of psychology and is widely employed in various child-rearing practices.