What term describes the attempt to eliminate unwanted behaviors through punishment and criticism?

The correct term that describes the attempt to eliminate unwanted behaviors through punishment and criticism is aversive control. This concept involves using unpleasant consequences or criticisms to reduce the likelihood of a specific behavior occurring again in the future. Aversive control relies on the idea that if an individual experiences discomfort or negative feedback, they are less inclined to repeat the behavior that led to that response.

Negative control typically refers to using adverse stimuli to influence behavior, but it isn't a standard term in the context of sports psychology, where the emphasis is more on aversive actions as a form of controlling behavior. Negative reinforcement, on the other hand, involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase desired behavior, which is fundamentally different from punishing unwanted behaviors. Positive control is associated with encouraging desirable behaviors through positive reinforcement, rather than focusing on punishment or criticism. Thus, the framework of aversive control aligns closely with the concept of eliminating unwanted behaviors through punishment.