Final answer:
The presentation of an aversive stimulus as punishment in response to a behavior may not always be effective in decreasing that behavior, depending on several factors including the nature and application of the stimulus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Presenting an aversive stimulus contingent on a behavior can lead to different outcomes, but typically, it is meant to decrease a behavior. This is known as punishment in operant conditioning. When an aversive stimulus is given after a particular behavior with the intent to reduce that behavior, we refer to it as positive punishment. An example of positive punishment might involve scolding a dog each time it jumps on the sofa, with the result that the dog learns to stay off the sofa.
However, the effect of punishment on behavior is not always straightforward. It might not always decrease the behavior. Factors such as the timing, consistency, and intensity of the punishment, as well as the individual characteristics of the animal, all play a role in determining the effectiveness of the aversive stimulus. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is b) Not always decrease the behavior.