Resistance to extinction is most strongly encouraged by ________ reinforcement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intermittent reinforcement, such as a variable ratio schedule, is the strongest way to encourage resistance to extinction. This is because the individual has learned that the reinforcement may not always be immediately available, so they persist in the behavior longer in hopes of obtaining the reward. Delayed reinforcement can actually decrease resistance to extinction, as the delay can make the individual less motivated to continue the behavior. Conditioned reinforcement and negative reinforcement may also be effective in the short-term, but they do not have the same long-lasting effect as intermittent reinforcement.

Resistance to Extinction Is Most Strongly Encouraged by ________ Reinforcement