Avoidance vs. escape learning
A student who once felt intense anxiety during a class presentation now calls in sick the day before every scheduled presentation. Her behavior is best described as:
Answer D: explanation for every choice
A
Escape learning is ending an aversive stimulus already in progress, such as leaving mid-presentation.
B
Positive punishment adds an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior. Her avoidance is increasing.
C
Generalization is responding to stimuli similar to a conditioned stimulus. The stem describes a learned avoidance behavior.
D
Correct. She acts before the aversive stimulus occurs, preventing it entirely. The relief negatively reinforces the behavior.
TakeawayEscape ends an aversive stimulus that has started. Avoidance prevents it from starting. Both are negative reinforcement.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps96.