What is the term for behavior driven primarily by avoiding punishment?

The term that best describes behavior driven primarily by avoiding punishment is commonly referred to as "Obedience vs. Punishment." This concept is rooted in developmental psychology, particularly in the work of theorists like Lawrence Kohlberg, who outlined stages of moral development. In the early stages, individuals may engage in behaviors primarily to avoid consequences or punishment rather than from a place of internal moral reasoning.

When individuals act out of fear of punishment, they are following rules or guidelines not necessarily because they agree with them or see them as right, but rather to evade negative outcomes. This matches well with the idea of obedience where adherence to authority or rules is motivated by the desire to avoid repercussions.

Other terms listed, such as "Fear of Consequences," while closely related, can imply a broader range of actions beyond just obedience. “Compliance Behavior” suggests a more general agreement to follow rules or requests that may not specifically relate to punishment, and “Negative Reinforcement” refers to the strengthening of a behavior due to the removal of an aversive stimulus, which does not succinctly capture the idea of avoiding punishment as the driving force behind the behavior.