Which behavior management technique involves a consequence that discourages an unwanted behavior?

The behavior management technique that involves a consequence specifically designed to discourage an unwanted behavior is punishment. Punishment can take various forms, generally characterized as either positive or negative. Positive punishment adds an unfavorable outcome or consequence following the undesirable behavior, while negative punishment removes a favorable stimulus after the undesired behavior occurs.

The core concept behind punishment is its role in decreasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future. For instance, if a child touches a hot stove and feels pain, that discomfort will deter them from touching the stove again. Understanding the nature of punishment is crucial in behavior management strategies, as it highlights how certain responses can effectively shape behavior over time.

In contrast, other techniques like positive reinforcement aim to increase desirable behaviors by providing rewards, while negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a desired behavior. Behavior modeling relies on demonstrating desired behaviors for others to imitate, which is fundamentally different from the corrective approach of punishment.