Behavior ReductionDifficulty 3/5
An RBT begins escape extinction for task refusal exactly as the plan describes. During the first two sessions refusal becomes louder and more frequent before decreasing. What is this pattern called, and what should the RBT do?
- AResurgence; stop the procedure and return to the previous plan until the supervisor reviews it
- BExtinction burst; continue as written and report to the supervisor
- CSpontaneous recovery; switch to attention extinction for the remainder of the session
- DSatiation; change the reinforcer
Show answer and rationale
Correct: B. A temporary increase in frequency or intensity when reinforcement is first withheld is the extinction burst, a known secondary effect (task D.6). The RBT continues the procedure with fidelity and reports; stopping would reinforce the escalated behavior.
- A — Resurgence is the return of a previously extinguished behavior when a newer behavior stops being reinforced.
- C — Spontaneous recovery is reappearance after extinction, not an initial increase.
- D — Satiation lowers behavior maintained by a reinforcer, not increases it.