Behaviors that are negatively reinforced tend to do what over time?

The correct answer indicates that behaviors that are negatively reinforced tend to increase in frequency over time. This is a fundamental principle of behavior analysis. In negative reinforcement, a behavior is strengthened because it removes or avoids an aversive stimulus. For example, if a student starts studying to avoid the anxiety of an upcoming exam, the act of studying is negatively reinforced by the reduction of anxiety.

As the student continues to engage in studying and experiences a reduction in anxiety, they are likely to continue studying in the future to achieve the same outcome. Therefore, over time, the frequency of the behavior associated with negative reinforcement will increase as the individual learns that their actions can effectively mitigate or escape discomfort.

Other options suggest outcomes like remaining unchanged or decreasing, which do not align with the definition of negative reinforcement. The essence of negative reinforcement is that it promotes the likelihood of a behavior occurring more frequently, not less or not at all. Unpredictability also does not accurately reflect the behavior's response to negative reinforcement, as the behavior would become more predictable as it is increasingly reinforced through the removal of the aversive stimulus.