Chapter 5 Extinction Extinction Is a basic principle

Chapter 5 Extinction

Extinction: Is a basic principle of behavior Is supported by years of basic and applied research Is a component of many behavior modification procedures

Defining Extinction 1. A previously reinforced behavior 2. Is no longer followed by the reinforcing consequence 3. The behavior is weakened (decreases and stops occurring in the future) Present -----> The behavior is no longer reinforced Future -----> The behavior stops occurring

Examples of Extinction Turning the key in a broken trunk lock Drinking from an empty soda bottle Telling unfunny jokes Trying to use a flashlight with dead batteries Calling someone who never answers her phone Parent stops reacting to child misbehavior

Extinction Burst When the reinforcer no longer follows a particular behavior, three things may happen initially: 1. Increase in frequency, duration, or intensity of the unreinforced behavior 2. Increase in novel behaviors 3. Increase in emotional and/or aggressive behaviors

Spontaneous Recovery The behavior occurs again sometime later after it was eliminated with extinction

Procedural Variations of Extinction of positively reinforced behavior The positive reinforcer is no longer delivered following the behavior Extinction of negatively reinforced behavior The aversive stimulus is no longer removed following the behavior

Factors Influencing Extinction The schedule of reinforcement prior to extinction The occurrence of reinforcement following the initiation of extinction Reinforcement of functionallyequivalent behaviors