Behavior-Change ProceduresDifficulty 2/5
During attention extinction, a behavior briefly increases in intensity and new response topographies appear. What is happening?
- APunishment-induced aggression produced by the aversive properties of the procedure
- BThe procedure has failed and a different consequence procedure should replace it
- CAn extinction burst with response variability, both expected side effects
- DSpontaneous recovery of a previously extinguished response after a delay
Show answer and rationale
Correct: C. Extinction bursts and increased response variability are documented side effects that occur early in extinction. They are not evidence of failure; discontinuing at this point would intermittently reinforce the escalated behavior.
- B — Stopping now would strengthen the escalated form.
- D — Spontaneous recovery is a later reappearance after responding has decreased.
- A — No punishment procedure is in place.