Which word best describes the nature of positive punishment?

Positive punishment refers to a process in which an aversive stimulus is introduced following a behavior, with the goal of decreasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. The key term here is "aversive," which indicates that the stimulus is unpleasant or undesirable, thus serving as a deterrent.

For example, if a child touches a hot stove and feels pain, this aversive experience is intended to discourage the child from engaging in that behavior again. The notion of adding an unpleasant consequence is central to the concept of positive punishment, making "aversive" the most accurate descriptor. When analyzing the other options, "rewarding," "neutral," and "indifferent" do not capture the essence of positive punishment, as they imply a lack of negative impact or consequence, which contradicts the intended function of this form of behavior modification.