Extinction of Learned Behavior Lesson 14 Extinction of

Extinction of Learned Behavior Lesson 14

Extinction of Reinforced Behavior changes relatively permanent l Modifiable if situation changes l NOT unlearning n Respondent: cue doesn’t predict important event l CS : No US n Operant: B no longer followed by important event D R l S : B No S ~ n

Extinction Hi Strength of R Lo Acquisition CS : No US B No SR

Effects of Extinction Respondent behavior l CR diminishes l Emotional: frustration/relief n Operant behavior l B Extinction burst l Gradual B l response variability ~ n

Operant Extinction Hi Strength of R Lo Acquisition n B No SR frustration burst & response variability ~

Extinction & Negative RFT Escape behavior l B terminates aversive event l extinction similar to positive RFT n Avoidance Behavior l B prevents aversive event l Resistant to extinction D l limited exposure to S D l flooding exposure to complete S ~ n

Extinction: Punishment Recovery of Punished Behavior no longer punished R l B no S n B l full recovery original B level l depends on intensity & frequency of punishment ~ n

Extinction vs Forgetting l Decay of memory l With passage of time n Extinction l Requires B to occur repeatedly l Without RFT ~ n

Extinction vs. Habituation l reflexive response l Reflexive response inherited n Extinction l in an acquired response l B no longer reinforced l Response acquired via learning ~ n

Operant: Extinction vs. Punishment Both reduce behavior frequency l extinction gradual l strong punishment rapid n Positive punishment disadvantages l fear responses l escape/avoidance l aggression ~ n

Why Does Extinction Occur? Inhibitory learning D R l CS+ : no US and S : B no S l contingencies change Δ l become inhibitory signals: CS- / S n Operant: role of CERs l non. RFT frustration n u l B aversive CER: B non. Punishment relief u B appetitive CER: B ~

Reinstatement after Extinction Recovery of learned responses (CR) D l response to CS+ / S n Phenomena l Spontaneous Recovery l Disinhibition l Renewal effect n Shows that association intact l NOT unlearned ~ n

Spontaneous Recovery n Passage of time since last CS/SD ~ Hi Time passes Strength of R Lo Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

Disinhibition n Novel stimulus precedes CS/SD ~ Novel Stimulus Hi Strength of CR Lo Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

Renewal Effect Extinction context-dependent l Acquisition: “old” environment l Extinction: “new” environment n Go back to “old” environment l Responses are renewed n Indicates association intact D l All CS / S not present during extinction l different contexts ~ n

Renewal Effect: Flying Phobia Acquisition: in plane Extinction: at clinic New Old Fear Gone?

Reacquisition Events paired again l CS : US R l B S n Associations quickly re-strengthened l fewer trials asymptote l than original acquisition n Because previous associations intact l adaptive behaviors l relapse for maladaptive behaviors ~ n

Reacquisition Hi Strength of R Lo Acquisition Extinction Reacquisition

Parodoxical RFT Effects n n Particularly for CRF l expectation of RFT R frustration faster extinction l No S Overtraining Extinction Effect l More training higher expectation of RFT Magnitude of RFT l RFT magnitude higher expectation of RFT Frustration when not RFT l aversive – acts like punisher ~

Extinction ≠ Unlearning Association persists after extinction n Reinstatement of responding after extinction l Spontaneous recovery l Renewal Effect l Disinhibition l Reacquisition n Difficulty in treating addictions & behavioral disorders l Relapse can occur relatively easy ~ n