In the basement of Marcy's college dormitory is a Coke machine that dispenses a can of Coke whenever someone firmly pounds the side of the machine. Marcy is delighted when she discovers this fact, because she can now get Cokes from the machine without having to pay for them. One morning a repairman fixes the machine. The next time Marcy goes to get a soft drink from the machine, she finds that her usual pounding strategy doesn't yield her the Coke she wants. But rather than insert the required coins to purchase a drink, Marcy begins pounding the side of the machine vigorously for several minutes. In behaviorist terminology, Marcy's behavior at this point can best be described as:
A) an extinction burst
B) discrimination
C) shaping
D) a response reinforced by an activity reinforcer

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Marcy's behavior can best be described as an extinction burst. An extinction burst is an increase in the frequency or intensity of a behavior when reinforcement is withheld. In this case, Marcy's usual pounding strategy was no longer effective, so she began pounding even more vigorously in an attempt to get a response from the machine.

In the Basement of Marcy's College Dormitory Is a Coke