You have a co-worker who loves to chat about things that you just do not want to chat
about. Usually when this co-worker comes over to chat with you, you nod and smile for a
few minutes and wait for them to leave. You are completely fed up with the small talk as it
gets in the way of getting what you need to get done to leave. You decide to implement a
new procedure where you wear headphones, stare intensely at your computer, and do not
provide any attention (i.e., nodding or smiling). The coworker comes by a few times but
assumes you are busy because you do not respond when they try to talk to you.
What would best explain why your co-worker has stopped talking to you?
Positive reinforcement
Extinction
Negative reinforcement
Punishment
