What does resurgence refer to in behavioral terms?

Resurgence refers specifically to the phenomenon where a previously reinforced behavior reemerges after a period of extinction or when the current reinforcer is no longer effective. This can occur in various contexts, particularly in behavior modification and applied behavior analysis, where an individual may revert to an old behavior that was once reinforced when the current behavior stops receiving reinforcement.

In behavioral terms, this can be insightful because it helps practitioners understand the dynamics of behavior change. Recognizing resurgence can inform strategies to manage or mitigate such occurrences, ensuring that reinforcement strategies are effectively aligned with desired behaviors to promote lasting change and reduce the likelihood of undesired behaviors resurfacing.

The other options do not align with the definition of resurgence. A complete elimination of behavior refers to extinction, a behavior that ceases immediately suggests instantaneous cessation without prior reinforcement history, and an increase in overall behavioral output pertains to an increase in behavior but does not specify the relationship to previous reinforcement or its cessation.