Which of the following is an example of punishment?

The correct choice illustrates punishment because it demonstrates a change in behavior following a consequence that resulted in a decrease of an undesired behavior—in this case, making noises in class. When the student was scolded, the aversive consequence (the scolding) led to a reduction in the frequency of the behavior that prompted the scolding (making noises in class).

In applied behavior analysis, punishment is defined as any change in the environment that follows a behavior and results in a decrease in the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. The scolding serves as a negative consequence for the behavior, leading to the desired outcome of reducing that behavior.

This scenario effectively illustrates the principle of using a consequence to influence behavior, highlighting the operational definition of punishment in behavior analysis. The correct choice reflects a basic understanding of how consequences can modify behavior, aligning with foundational principles in the field.