What is the primary outcome associated with effective punishment?

The primary outcome associated with effective punishment is to decrease behavior. Punishment is a behavioral modification technique used to reduce the frequency of undesired behaviors. When a negative consequence follows a behavior, it typically leads to a decrease in the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. This approach operates under the principle that individuals learn to avoid actions that result in unfavorable outcomes, thereby utilizing punishment to shape behavior in a desired direction.

In contrast, the other options address aspects that are not the main objective of punishment. Increasing behavior suggests a reinforcement strategy rather than a punitive one, which contradicts the intention of punishment. Motivating learning is more closely related to positive reinforcement or educational approaches and does not align with the nature of punishment. Ensuring compliance, while a potential result of punishment, does not capture the primary aim, which centers specifically on the reduction of unwanted behavior.