Partial reinforcement extinction effect
Group A is rewarded for every lever press, while Group B is rewarded for an average of one press in five. When rewards stop entirely, Group B keeps pressing far longer. This illustrates:
Answer D: explanation for every choice
A
Overjustification is extrinsic rewards undermining intrinsic motivation.
B
Spontaneous recovery is the return of an extinguished response after a rest.
C
Shaping reinforces successive approximations of a target behavior.
D
Correct. Behavior learned under intermittent reinforcement resists extinction, because the absence of reward is harder to detect.
TakeawayIntermittent reinforcement → slower extinction.
See your set score →
Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps150.