What do we call the lack of response for a period of time after reinforcement?

The term that describes the lack of response for a period of time after reinforcement is known as a post-reinforcement pause. This phenomenon occurs in certain reinforcement schedules, particularly when using fixed schedules, where an organism may take a brief break from responding after receiving a reward. This pause can be a natural behavioral pattern as individuals "rest" or take time to process the reinforcement before continuing their responses. It's an important concept because it helps explain how different reinforcement schedules affect behavior over time, allowing for better understanding of learning and motivation in both animals and humans.