Positive punishment may have which potential negative outcome?

Positive punishment may have which potential negative outcome?

• A. It can decrease aggression.
• B. It has no effect on arousal.
• C. It improves long-term behavior without side effects.
• D. It can increase FAS and aggression.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that positive punishment can backfire by increasing fear, arousal, and stress in the animal. When an aversive stimulus is added to suppress a behavior, the animal may become more fearful and reactive. This heightened emotional state can trigger defensive aggression or escalate existing aggression toward people or other animals. Because the animal is responding out of fear or irritation, the behavior change is often not lasting and can create additional welfare concerns, including a stronger association between the aversive, the trainer, and the environment, leading to avoidance or more aggression in the future. That’s why the statement about increasing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) and aggression is the best choice. The other possibilities don’t fit: positive punishment doesn’t reliably decrease aggression; it typically alters arousal in a way that increases it rather than having no effect; and it rarely improves long-term behavior without side effects, given the risk of fear and aggression and other welfare harms.

The main idea here is that positive punishment can backfire by increasing fear, arousal, and stress in the animal. When an aversive stimulus is added to suppress a behavior, the animal may become more fearful and reactive. This heightened emotional state can trigger defensive aggression or escalate existing aggression toward people or other animals. Because the animal is responding out of fear or irritation, the behavior change is often not lasting and can create additional welfare concerns, including a stronger association between the aversive, the trainer, and the environment, leading to avoidance or more aggression in the future.

That’s why the statement about increasing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) and aggression is the best choice. The other possibilities don’t fit: positive punishment doesn’t reliably decrease aggression; it typically alters arousal in a way that increases it rather than having no effect; and it rarely improves long-term behavior without side effects, given the risk of fear and aggression and other welfare harms.