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Average Score: 35%

What is an example of Skinner’s concept of extinction?

Rationale

A dog, trained to fetch a ball, gradually loses interest and stops when the owner ceases to reward the behavior with treats.

This scenario exemplifies Skinner's concept of extinction, where a previously reinforced behavior diminishes and eventually ceases when reinforcement is no longer provided. In this case, the dog's fetching behavior declines because the owner has stopped delivering treats as rewards.

A (A dog, trained to fetch a ball, gradually loses interest and stops when the owner ceases to reward the behavior with treats.) CORRECT

This is the correct example of extinction, as it illustrates how the lack of reinforcement (treats) leads the dog to stop performing the behavior (fetching the ball). The association between the behavior and the reward is broken, demonstrating the principle of extinction in operant conditioning.

B (A child throws tantrums for attention and continues even though the parents ignore the behavior.) YOUR ANSWER

This scenario represents a case of persistence rather than extinction. The child's tantrums continue despite the lack of attention, indicating that the behavior is not diminishing. Instead, the child may be inadvertently reinforcing the behavior by still receiving some response, even if it is negative.

C (A dog, after being scolded for chewing on furniture, gradually stops the destructive behavior.) YOUR ANSWER

This situation reflects punishment rather than extinction. The dog stops chewing on furniture because of the negative consequences (scolding), which is a different concept from extinction, where the behavior declines due to the absence of reinforcement.

D (A child is reprimanded for disrupting class but continues to misbehave despite the consequences.) YOUR ANSWER

Here, the child’s misbehavior continues despite reprimands, which suggests that the consequences are not effectively reducing the behavior. This scenario does not illustrate extinction, as the behavior persists in the face of negative reinforcement.

Conclusion

Skinner's concept of extinction highlights how behaviors diminish when reinforcement is withdrawn. In the correct example, the dog's fetching behavior ceases as it no longer receives treats, showcasing the principle effectively. The other choices illustrate different behavioral phenomena, such as persistence or responses to punishment, which do not align with the definition of extinction. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for applying operant conditioning principles in behavioral training and modification.

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