In an operant conditioning experiment, a pigeon learned to peck at a blue disk to get a food pellet. The researcher then withheld reinforcement, and eventually the bird stopped pecking the disk. This example illustrates:
A) extinction.
B) the partial reinforcement effect.
C) learned helplessness.
D) the effect of negative reinforcement.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the process of extinction, which occurs when a previously reinforced behavior (pecking the blue disk) is no longer reinforced and therefore diminishes in frequency.

In an Operant Conditioning Experiment, a Pigeon Learned to Peck