Which statement is true regarding punishment?

The statement about punishment that is true is that it seeks to reduce undesirable behavior through consequences. Punishment involves introducing a negative consequence or removing a positive stimulus following an undesired behavior, with the intention of decreasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future. This approach is designed to highlight the adverse effects of certain actions, thereby deterring them.

In contrast, some of the other statements do not accurately represent the nature of punishment. For instance, while punishment can sometimes have an immediate effect on behavior, it does not guarantee a lasting impact as it may not teach or reinforce alternative acceptable behaviors. Additionally, punishment does not aim to encourage a specific behavior; rather, its goal is to diminish unwanted behaviors. Lastly, it is not generally more effective than reinforcement, as reinforcement tends to create more consistent and long-lasting behavioral change by promoting desirable actions instead of merely suppressing unwanted ones. Therefore, the focus of punishment is primarily on reducing undesirable behavior through its consequences.