How is punishment best defined in behavior modification?

Punishment in behavior modification refers to a process meant to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. It is characterized by the addition of an aversive event, which aims to create a negative consequence in response to undesirable behavior. By introducing an aversive stimulus, the intention is to discourage the behavior from being repeated, as the individual learns to associate the behavior with an unpleasant outcome. This can be contrasted with reinforcement, which focuses on increasing a behavior by adding positive stimuli or removing negative stimuli. In the context of behavior modification, the precise definition of punishment emphasizes the addition of an aversive element to evoke a change in behavior.