Final answer:
An extinction burst in shaping may lead to the development of a new behavior as it encourages an organism to adapt when an old behavior is no longer reinforced.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of an extinction burst is related to operant conditioning, a method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior. An extinction burst occurs when a behavior that has been previously reinforced no longer produces expected rewards, and the frequency of that behavior temporarily increases as a result. Eventually, the behavior decreases when reinforcement is withheld. In the context of shaping, which is rewarding successive approximations toward a target behavior, the extinction burst can be pivotal.
The correct answer to the question “The extinction burst is valuable in shaping because _____.” is C) It may lead to the development of a new behavior. The extinction burst can prompt the adaptation and emergence of new behaviors when the old, reinforced behaviors are no longer effective. This can be essential in shaping, as the organism is encouraged to test new behaviors that might be closer to the desired behavior.