positive reinforcement vs punishment

[Pearlgem]

If a sub does something wrong and the Master punishes them, it is not negative reinforcement. Negative REINFORCEMENT reinforces something. The object of punishment is the opposite- to discourage a behavior. Negative reinforcement would be like saying- you don't have to do pushups today if you eat your broccoli.

Hmm, not sure that's how I understand negative reinforcement.

I am shy and hate to go to parties.
There is a party to which decide not to go.
I feel better for not having gone because I avoided an excruciating position.
So I reinforced that good feeling through my avoidance.
Or in other words I am negatively reinforcing my avoidance behaviour.
And every time I feel better for avoiding something I don't like, I negatively reinforce that avoidance behaviour.

(Negative reinforcement makes you feel better in the short run, and it's very common but it probably sucks as a long term life strategy.)