Question 7

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

This scenario illustrates Skinner’s concept of extinction, where a previously reinforced behavior diminishes when the reinforcement is no longer provided. In this case, the dog's fetching behavior declines as it no longer receives treats for performing the action.

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

This option correctly exemplifies extinction, as the cessation of rewards leads to a decrease in the fetching behavior. The dog learns that the behavior no longer results in positive reinforcement, leading to a gradual disinterest in fetching the ball.

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

This option represents a scenario where the behavior is not extinguished but rather maintained. The child’s tantrums persist because they are seeking attention, indicating that the behavior is reinforced by the desire for a response, even if it is negative.

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

While this option shows a change in behavior, it does not specifically illustrate extinction. The dog is likely stopping the chewing due to the aversive consequence of being scolded, which relates more to punishment than extinction of a previously rewarded behavior.

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

This scenario indicates that the child’s disruptive behavior is not extinguished, as the reprimands do not deter the behavior. Instead, it suggests that the child may find some form of reinforcement in their actions, whether through attention or other means, rather than experiencing extinction.

Conclusion

Option A is the only choice that accurately represents Skinner’s concept of extinction, where a previously reinforced behavior decreases due to the absence of reinforcement. The other options fail to demonstrate this principle, as they either involve ongoing reinforcement or behavior change due to punishment rather than the withdrawal of rewards.