Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

Which of the following is a type of reinforcement?

1. Encouragement

2. Avoidance

3. Motivation

4. Engagement

The correct answer is: Avoidance

The correct answer is avoidance. This concept falls under the category of negative reinforcement, which is a method of increasing desired behaviors by removing an unpleasant stimulus when the desired behavior occurs. For instance, if a student feels anxious about speaking in front of the class but practices and does well, the avoidance of that anxiety can reinforce their confidence and willingness to engage in public speaking in the future. Encouragement, while supportive, does not play the same role as avoidance in the context of reinforcement techniques. It may motivate an individual but does not itself remove a negative condition or contribute to the reinforcement of a specific behavior. Motivation and engagement relate to general psychological drives and interest rather than specific behavioral reinforcement. Thus, avoidance is the relevant type of reinforcement that is most aligned with the concept of removing an adverse stimulus to strengthen a behavior.