Final answer:
The correct answer is c. negative reinforcement, which occurs when a behavior is maintained by the removal of an undesirable stimulus, in this case, the cold, which increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Putting on your coat when it is cold outside is a behavior that is maintained by negative reinforcement. Operant conditioning, a concept developed by B.F. Skinner, suggests that behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them. If a behavior results in the removal of a negative stimulus, it is likely to be repeated. In this case, putting on a coat removes the unpleasant feeling of being cold, thus the behavior is reinforced because it takes away something undesirable, increasing the likelihood that the behavior will happen again.
Punishment, on the other hand, always decreases behavior. The differentiation between negative reinforcement and punishment is crucial as reinforcement, even when negative, serves to increase a behavior, whereas all forms of punishment aim to decrease it. Furthermore, negative reinforcement is often used in animal training as well, where behavior is increased by removing an aversive stimulus, like pressure from horse reins.
Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is c. negative reinforcement. It is important to understand the distinction between reinforcement and punishment and how they can influence behavior according to operant conditioning principles.