Which scenario exemplifies the extinction process?

Which scenario exemplifies the extinction process?

• A. A dog stops receiving treats for sitting on command
• B. A student receives praise for good behavior
• C. A child learns to share toys with friends
• D. A parent punishes a child's misbehavior consistency

Answer: (A)

The scenario where a dog stops receiving treats for sitting on command effectively illustrates the extinction process. In the context of operant conditioning, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time. In this case, the dog was initially rewarded with treats for the behavior of sitting on command. When the treats are no longer provided, the reinforcement that once encouraged the dog to sit diminishes, resulting in the dog being less likely to perform the command in the future. This illustrates how the absence of reinforcement can lead to the extinction of a learned behavior. Other scenarios involve ongoing reinforcement, positive behaviors being rewarded, or punishment being applied consistently, where the behavior is not being diminished and rather might be encouraged or is maintained due to consistent consequences. Therefore, they do not exemplify the extinction process.

The scenario where a dog stops receiving treats for sitting on command effectively illustrates the extinction process. In the context of operant conditioning, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time.

In this case, the dog was initially rewarded with treats for the behavior of sitting on command. When the treats are no longer provided, the reinforcement that once encouraged the dog to sit diminishes, resulting in the dog being less likely to perform the command in the future. This illustrates how the absence of reinforcement can lead to the extinction of a learned behavior.

Other scenarios involve ongoing reinforcement, positive behaviors being rewarded, or punishment being applied consistently, where the behavior is not being diminished and rather might be encouraged or is maintained due to consistent consequences. Therefore, they do not exemplify the extinction process.