What occurs when an individual witnesses another being punished and subsequently discontinues that behavior?

The scenario described aligns with the concept of vicarious punishment, which occurs when an individual observes another person being punished for a behavior and as a result, chooses to avoid that behavior themselves. This process is a key element of social learning theory, formulated by Albert Bandura.

In this context, the correct response relates to how witnessing someone else face negative consequences (in this case, punishment) influences an observer's decision to refrain from the same behavior. The observer learns that the behavior is undesirable because of the negative outcomes observed, reinforcing the idea that avoiding the behavior is preferable.

The other options do not apply in this scenario as follows: Vicarious reinforcement would suggest that the observer is encouraged to adopt the behavior after witnessing someone be rewarded for it. Positive vicarious reinforcement implies a reward for behavior observed, while observational learning refers to the broader process of learning by watching others, which can include both reinforcement and punishment. However, the specific scenario described focuses distinctly on the negative consequence, which is why 'negative vicarious reinforcement' is the most suitable response.