Question

What is an extinction burst, and what three things typically happen during it?

A) An extinction burst is a reinforcement strategy, and during it, behavior becomes more consistent, predictable, and controlled.
B) An extinction burst is a type of cognitive process that leads to the cessation of undesirable habits.
C) An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency and intensity of the behavior, followed by a decrease if the behavior is not reinforced.
D) An extinction burst is a synonym for a gradual decline in behavior without any specific observable changes.

Answer 1

An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency and intensity of a behavior, followed by a decrease if the behavior is not reinforced.

Step-by-step explanation:

An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency and intensity of a behavior, followed by a decrease if the behavior is not reinforced. It occurs when a previously reinforced behavior no longer receives reinforcement, causing the individual to engage in the behavior more frequently or intensely in an attempt to obtain the reinforcement. Three things typically happen during an extinction burst:

1. The frequency of the behavior increases.
2. The intensity of the behavior increases.
3. The individual may try new variations of the behavior in an attempt to get reinforcement.