What behavior occurs when an animal engages in actions to avoid unpleasant outcomes?

The behavior described in the question is the Escape/Avoidance Response. This type of behavior occurs when an animal takes actions specifically aimed at escaping a situation that is harmful or unpleasant (escape) or preventing an unpleasant situation from occurring in the first place (avoidance).

For example, if a dog learns that sitting calmly yields treats and that barking results in the dog being ignored or removed from the situation, the dog will likely start to engage in the calmer behavior to avoid the unpleasant outcome of being ignored or removed. This type of learning reflects a critical aspect of operant conditioning, where behaviors are reinforced through the relief provided from negative stimuli.

Other terms listed do not describe this specific behavioral response. Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effect (PREE) relates to how behaviors are maintained when reinforcement isn’t continuous. Experimental Neurosis refers to a condition seen in animals when they are subjected to unpredictable or contradictory stimuli, leading to confusion or stress. Blocking involves the failure of a previously learned behavior to form a new association due to the presence of an established one. Thus, none of these terms accurately encapsulate the avoidance behavior in the context provided.