What is extinction burst?

• A. The behavior increases in frequency just before extinction
• B. Sudden recurrence of a learned response after extinction
• C. A gradual decrease in behavior with reinforcement removed
• D. An overall increase in all behaviors after extinction

Answer: (A)

Extinction burst is a temporary increase in a previously reinforced behavior when reinforcement is removed. When you stop rewarding a behavior, the learner may intensify or repeat it more often or in a more varied way as they try to obtain the payoff they once received. This surge is followed by a gradual decline in the behavior as extinction takes hold. For example, a dog that used to get attention for pawing may start pawing more or whine more when the attention stops, then eventually decrease the pawing. It’s a normal part of the extinction process, not a sign that you’re failing. Sometimes a previously extinguished behavior can reappear after a rest period (spontaneous recovery), but that’s a separate phenomenon. To manage extinction bursts, stay consistent in withholding reinforcement and use additional strategies to keep the training plan clear and predictable.