What is one disadvantage of providing continuous reinforcement?

Providing continuous reinforcement can indeed lead to decreased resilience to extinction, making this the correct choice. When a behavior is reinforced continuously, the learner becomes highly dependent on the constant rewards for maintaining that behavior. If reinforcement suddenly stops or becomes inconsistent, the learner might struggle to continue exhibiting the desired behavior, as they have not developed the internal motivation or skills to perform it without the immediate rewards. This phenomenon highlights the importance of varying reinforcement schedules, as intermittent reinforcement can help build a stronger, more resilient form of behavior.

The other options mention benefits associated with continuous reinforcement. For instance, while continuous reinforcement does lead to quicker mastery of behaviors, it doesn't necessarily foster long-term retention or resilience. Keeping learners consistently engaged is also a strength of continuous reinforcement, but like quick mastery, it may not be beneficial in the long run. Likewise, while it may seem that continuous reinforcement allows for gradual skill acquisition, it is more typically characterized by fast learning rather than gradual, sustained skill development.