What is an extinction burst?

An extinction burst refers to a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior once it is no longer reinforced. This phenomenon occurs as the individual tests the situation to determine whether the behavior will still result in the previously reinforcing outcome.

When reinforcement is removed, the individual may initially respond by intensifying their efforts in displaying the behavior, leading to this burst of activity. This is important for practitioners to recognize, as it can sometimes be misinterpreted as an increase in problem behavior. Understanding that this behavior is a typical reaction helps in developing effective strategies to continue with the extinction process and not inadvertently reinforce the behavior with attention or other forms of reinforcement during this phase.

The other options do not accurately capture the dynamics of an extinction burst, as they either suggest a consistent decrease in behavior or the elimination of learned behaviors, which does not align with the temporary nature of an extinction burst.