Which of the following would best represent an example of negative reinforcement?

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a desired behavior. In this scenario, taking away chores when a child behaves well serves as a clear example of negative reinforcement because it eliminates an undesirable task (chores) as a consequence of the child's positive behavior. This removal is intended to encourage the child to continue behaving well in the future, as they associate good behavior with the absence of chores.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the definition of negative reinforcement. For instance, giving a child a treat for completing homework introduces a positive stimulus as a reward for a desired behavior, which aligns more with positive reinforcement. Allowing a student to leave class early to avoid a lecture could suggest avoiding an unpleasant situation, but it does not demonstrate a strengthening of behavior through the removal of something negative related to their actions. Similarly, implementing a reward system for participation provides a tangible reward, thereby representing positive reinforcement rather than negative reinforcement.