ABA glossary
Extinction burst
Definition
A temporary increase in the frequency, duration, or intensity of a behavior soon after extinction begins. New or more varied forms of the behavior may also appear.
In plain words
When a behavior that used to work stops working, people often try harder before they give up: you press an elevator button repeatedly when the elevator does not come. The same thing happens with problem behavior. In the first sessions of extinction, the behavior may get louder, longer, or more frequent. A burst is a sign that the reinforcer has been withheld, not that the plan is failing. If the team gives in during a burst, it reinforces the more intense behavior and makes it stronger.
Example from a session
On the first day of planned ignoring for Ben's attention-maintained whining, his whining lasts twice as long as usual and gets louder. The RBT continues to follow the plan: no attention for whining, immediate attention when Ben asks politely. She records the longer durations accurately and tells her supervisor about the increase at the end of the session, as the plan instructs, instead of changing the procedure herself.
For BCBA candidates and supervisors
Analysts warn caregivers about bursts before starting extinction, set safety procedures, and decide in advance what level of behavior would require stopping or modifying the plan. Pairing extinction with differential reinforcement or NCR and providing a functional alternative can reduce or prevent bursts; research suggests bursts are less common when extinction is combined with these procedures. Analysts also plan for extinction-induced aggression and emotional responding. If a burst is accidentally reinforced, the behavior has now been reinforced intermittently, which can make it more resistant to extinction.
Often confused with spontaneous recovery, resurgence
An extinction burst happens soon after extinction begins: the behavior increases before it decreases. Spontaneous recovery happens later, after the behavior had already decreased, when it briefly returns (often after a break). Resurgence is the return of an old behavior when reinforcement for a newer alternative stops or is reduced.
Exam tip
Timing is the clue. "First day of extinction, the behavior got worse" is a burst. "Weeks later, after a holiday, it came back briefly" is spontaneous recovery. "The new mand stopped working and the old behavior returned" is resurgence.
Can you spot extinction burst in a scenario?
Practice BCBA B.11 with exam-style questions and instant feedback.