Final answer:
The statement that extinction can be explained as negative punishment is false. Extinction refers to the decrease of a conditioned response when reinforcement is stopped, unlike negative punishment, which involves removing a positive stimulus to decrease unwanted behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Extinction can be explained as negative punishment is a false statement. Extinction in operant conditioning refers to the decrease in the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. This is different from negative punishment, which involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.
Negative reinforcement and punishment are two distinct concepts in operant conditioning. Negative reinforcement occurs when a negative stimulus is removed after the desired behavior is exhibited, thereby increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. For example, removing pressure when a horse performs the desired behavior encourages further compliance. Conversely, punishment, whether positive or negative, always seeks to decrease a behavior. An example of negative punishment is taking away a child's toy to discourage bad behavior.
It's crucial to understand that all forms of punishment, including negative punishment, aim to reduce unwanted behavior, while extinction is simply the natural waning of a behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided.