In operant conditioning, extinction of a behavior maintained by positive reinforcement works by:

• A. Pairing the behavior with a neutral stimulus
• B. Increasing the frequency of reinforcement for the behavior
• C. Withholding the reinforcing stimulus after the behavior occurs
• D. Presenting an aversive stimulus after the behavior occurs

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in operant conditioning, behaviors are influenced by their consequences, specifically through reinforcement or punishment.
2. Recall that positive reinforcement involves presenting a rewarding stimulus after a behavior to increase its frequency.
3. Recognize that extinction in operant conditioning occurs when the behavior is no longer followed by the reinforcing stimulus, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time.
4. Identify that withholding the reinforcing stimulus after the behavior occurs means the behavior is no longer rewarded, which is the key mechanism of extinction.
5. Note that pairing the behavior with a neutral stimulus, increasing reinforcement, or presenting an aversive stimulus are not methods of extinction but relate to other conditioning processes.