Extinction

Extinction

1. Principle

   • Extinction occurs when a behavior that has been previously reinforced no longer results in the reinforcing consequences and therefore the behavior stops occurring in the future.

2. Factors

   • Reinforcement schedule before extinction
   • Occurrence of Reinforcement after extinction

3. Procedural Variations

   • Positively reinforced
     • Positive reinforcer is no longer delivered
   • Negatively reinforced
     • Aversive stimulus is no longer removed

4. Misconception

   • "Extinction simply means ignoring the behavior" is inaccurate statement in most cases
   • Extinction means removing the reinforcer for a behavior.
     • Ignoring the problem behavior functions as extinction only if attention is the reinforcer.

5. Spontaneous Recovery

   • Natural tendency for behavior to occur again in situation similar to those occur and was reinforced before extinction

6. Extinction Burst

   • Behavior may increase in frequency, duration, or intensity
   • Novel behavior may occur
   • Emotional response may occur

7. Example in shaping behavior

   • When a dog was trained to poop in the backyard and got fed by the owner but instead the dog pooped on the neighbor's backyard, the owner stops giving the dog treats.