Which of the Following Scenarios Exemplifies Extinction

question 185

Multiple Choice

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies extinction?

• A) Alexis is a former cocaine user. Now that she no longer uses, her hands no longer shake and her heart no longer pounds when she hears a car pull into her driveway, like her dealer used to do in his car.
• B) Alexis uses cocaine. She no longer feels quite the same rush as she did when she fist started using.
• C) Alexis is a former cocaine user in recovery. After a relapse, though, her hands shake and her heart pounds when she hears a car pull into her drive, like her dealer used to do in his car.
• D) Alexis has relapsed on cocaine. She finds that she doesn't need quite as much of the drug to feel its effects as she did immediately before she stopped using the last time.

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Definitions:

Negative Reinforcer

A stimulus whose removal or avoidance following a behavior increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.

Increases

A process or action that causes something to become larger, more numerous, or more significant.

Decreases

The act or process of becoming smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree.

Negatively Reinforced

A process in behavioral psychology where a behavior is strengthened because a negative condition is removed or avoided.