Which behavior is reinforced when a barking dog causes people to back off, leading to more barking?

The correct answer is negative reinforcement. In this scenario, the dog is exhibiting a barking behavior, and when this behavior results in people backing off, the dog feels a sense of relief or the removal of an aversive situation (the presence of those people). Because the barking successfully leads to the avoidance of an unwanted situation, this behavior is reinforced.

In terms of operant conditioning, negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened because it leads to the removal of something unpleasant. The barking, therefore, is reinforced since it produces a desired outcome—the withdrawal of people. This cycle can lead to an increase in barking, as the dog learns that this behavior is effective in creating the desired result.

Understanding this concept is crucial for trainers, as it illustrates the importance of recognizing what behaviors are being reinforced by owners or other individuals in the environment, and how such reinforcement can lead to persistent unwanted behaviors.