What is an Extinction burst?

What is an Extinction burst?

• A. A temporary decrease in behavior
• B. A sudden increase in behavior after reinforcement stops
• C. A permanent elimination of behavior
• D. A type of reinforcement

Answer: (B)

An extinction burst occurs when a behavior temporarily increases in frequency, intensity, or duration after reinforcement for that behavior has been discontinued. This phenomenon is often observed in situations where an individual has been used to receiving some form of reinforcement, such as attention, rewards, or other positive outcomes, and suddenly those reinforcements are no longer provided. The immediate reaction is often an escalation in the behavior, as the individual attempts to regain the lost reinforcement. This increase can manifest in various forms and may be perceived as challenging or problematic. It is important to recognize that an extinction burst is a part of the extinction process and indicates that the individual is attempting to navigate the new dynamics of their environment where their previous behaviors are no longer yielding the expected results. Understanding this concept is crucial in behavior modification and therapeutic practices, as it helps practitioners anticipate and manage these temporary spikes in behavior rather than misinterpreting them as a failure of the extinction process.

An extinction burst occurs when a behavior temporarily increases in frequency, intensity, or duration after reinforcement for that behavior has been discontinued. This phenomenon is often observed in situations where an individual has been used to receiving some form of reinforcement, such as attention, rewards, or other positive outcomes, and suddenly those reinforcements are no longer provided. The immediate reaction is often an escalation in the behavior, as the individual attempts to regain the lost reinforcement.

This increase can manifest in various forms and may be perceived as challenging or problematic. It is important to recognize that an extinction burst is a part of the extinction process and indicates that the individual is attempting to navigate the new dynamics of their environment where their previous behaviors are no longer yielding the expected results. Understanding this concept is crucial in behavior modification and therapeutic practices, as it helps practitioners anticipate and manage these temporary spikes in behavior rather than misinterpreting them as a failure of the extinction process.