Which concept involves replacing an undesired behavior with a rewarded alternative?

Which concept involves replacing an undesired behavior with a rewarded alternative?

• A. Extinction
• B. Extinction burst
• C. Response substitution
• D. Positive punishment

Answer: (C)

Response substitution is the idea of replacing an undesired behavior with a rewarded alternative. The approach starts by identifying the function of the unwanted behavior, then teaching a new, appropriate behavior that serves the same purpose and reinforcing it when the dog uses the alternative. Over time, the new behavior becomes the preferred way to meet that need, and the undesired behavior declines because it’s no longer reinforced. For example, if a dog barks for attention, you train a calm alternative like a sit or look-at-me cue and provide attention only for that behavior. You don’t reinforce the barking, but you do reinforce the alternative, shaping the dog toward the desired response. Other concepts differ: extinction involves withholding reinforcement for the undesired behavior and can produce an extinction burst, while positive punishment adds something aversive to reduce the behavior.

Response substitution is the idea of replacing an undesired behavior with a rewarded alternative. The approach starts by identifying the function of the unwanted behavior, then teaching a new, appropriate behavior that serves the same purpose and reinforcing it when the dog uses the alternative. Over time, the new behavior becomes the preferred way to meet that need, and the undesired behavior declines because it’s no longer reinforced.

For example, if a dog barks for attention, you train a calm alternative like a sit or look-at-me cue and provide attention only for that behavior. You don’t reinforce the barking, but you do reinforce the alternative, shaping the dog toward the desired response.

Other concepts differ: extinction involves withholding reinforcement for the undesired behavior and can produce an extinction burst, while positive punishment adds something aversive to reduce the behavior.