Which of the following best describes an extinctive burst?

An extinctive burst refers to the phenomenon where, after a behavior has been reinforced, the removal of that reinforcement leads to a temporary increase in the frequency or intensity of the behavior before it eventually decreases. This typically happens as the individual attempts to regain the lost reinforcement. The behavior that is being extinguished may often become more intense or frequent for a time as the individual tries harder to elicit a response or reward. Thus, the correct choice indicates that an extinctive burst is characterized by a temporary return to an old behavior when the new reinforcement stops.

In this context, the understanding of behavior modification and extinction is critical, as it helps one to appreciate how behaviors are learned and unlearned through reinforcement processes. This is specifically relevant in fields such as psychology, behavioral therapy, and education.