What is the consequence of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior?

What is the consequence of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior?

• A. It may decrease that behavior
• B. It may have no effect
• C. It may result in an increase in that behavior
• D. It always extinguishes that behavior

Answer: (C)

Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior is typically understood to lead to a decrease in that behavior over time. When a behavior that has been reinforced is no longer followed by reinforcement, individuals may initially increase the frequency of that behavior, due to a phenomenon known as "extinction burst." This behavior reflects the individual's attempt to regain the reinforcement that was once available. However, this increase is generally temporary; it is part of the process where the individual may be trying to provoke a response or the reinforcement itself. Over time, if reinforcement continues to be withheld, the behavior is likely to decrease significantly or become extinguished altogether. In the context of the question, while the immediate response to withholding reinforcement can lead to increases in the behavior temporarily, the question specifically addresses the general consequence of the withholding of reinforcement, which leads to a decrease in the behavior after the initial recovery period.

Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior is typically understood to lead to a decrease in that behavior over time. When a behavior that has been reinforced is no longer followed by reinforcement, individuals may initially increase the frequency of that behavior, due to a phenomenon known as "extinction burst." This behavior reflects the individual's attempt to regain the reinforcement that was once available.

However, this increase is generally temporary; it is part of the process where the individual may be trying to provoke a response or the reinforcement itself. Over time, if reinforcement continues to be withheld, the behavior is likely to decrease significantly or become extinguished altogether.

In the context of the question, while the immediate response to withholding reinforcement can lead to increases in the behavior temporarily, the question specifically addresses the general consequence of the withholding of reinforcement, which leads to a decrease in the behavior after the initial recovery period.