What are extinction bursts characterized as?

Extinction bursts are characterized as temporary. This concept refers to a short-term increase in the frequency and intensity of a behavior that occurs immediately after the reinforcement for that behavior is removed. When an individual who had been reinforced for a particular behavior no longer receives reinforcement, they may initially display an increase in that behavior as they attempt to regain the reinforcement. This increase is usually brief and tends to diminish over time as the individual learns that the behavior will no longer result in the expected reinforcement.

Understanding that extinction bursts are a temporary reaction is crucial for practitioners. It helps in managing expectations when implementing an extinction procedure and reinforces the importance of consistency in behavior management strategies. Over time, if reinforcement does not resume, the behavior will generally decrease.