Extinction (Planned Non-Reinforcement) The Elements of Behavior Module #3 "Stop that!" You say this several times, each louder and meaner. Your kid continues to scream and roll around on the floor looking like a rabid beast. Finally, you say, "No candy until you cut that out!" OK, the kid stops, and you give him candy. You reinforced stopping the tantrum, right? Actually, you probably reinforced the whole tantrum. What could you do instead? Think about this: why does your otherwise adorable offspring have tantrums? What's the reinforcer? Maybe getting what he wanted in the first place (the candy), and maybe even your attention during the tantrum? What would happen, do you think, if you eliminated those consequences? The behavior might increase for a little while (trying harder, escalating, often works in many areas of life), and might come back now and then in the beginning, but basically, it would be too much work with not enough payoff, and the tantrums would fade away. This is extinction, a way to reduce unwanted behavior by eliminating the reinforcer(s). It may be too slow to stop some behaviors, say running into the street, but in many areas of life if may be less unpleasant and more effective (for technical reasons discussed in a later module) than punishment, the other major procedure for reducing behavior. Either should always ‹no exceptions‹be combined with reinforcement for alternative behaviors; this is not only more humane, it also works better. Look at this diagram of the extinction process. Notice that the "after," the outcome, is the same as the "before." (There's another way to make the problem less likely, too; look at the occasion for an idea) OK, this will work with kids (or even babies who cry when placed in their cribs at night), but what about with your sophisticated, stubborn significant other? If that insensitive ingrate is always saying mean things about your mother, how could you reduce that behavior without punishing it? Think about it. What's the reinforcer? Could it be your response? If it is, and you ignore the statements and go about your business, the behavior will fade over time (after escalating‹there's no free lunch). If the reinforcer is something else, the behavior might continue, but chances are, your emotional response is the primary controlling variable here Technical details: Not considered here are the results if you begin extinction, but sometimes reinforce instead. This will build strong resistance to extinction. Diffential reinforcement of incompatible (DRI) or of alternative ("other") behavior (DRO), discussed in a later module, are often effective alternatives or adjuncts to extinction. Experiencing extinction is often somewhat aversive, and may result in some emotional side effects, discussed in a later module; adding a reinforcement procedure for more desirable behavior can help a lot with this. Extinction also can happen accidentally; this is common in workplace situations‹if excellent performance makes little difference, it eventually fades (see Daniels). Scenario: (3 year old child, behavior pattern established for 1 year) Please complete the following: 1. The parent could move out, removing the occasion, but that would not be acceptable here. So, what would you advise this parent to do? 2. What would you warn her/him to be ready for? 3. What is one situation in your own life when you could, or could have, used an extinction procedure? 4. How would you combine this with reinforcement? For further information, see: Daniels, A. C. (1994). Bringing out the best in people. New York: McGraw Hill. Malott, R. W., Whaley, D. L., & Malott, M. E. (1997). Elementary principles of behavior (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. If you would like feedback on your answers, provide your email address and click on the submit button! Email Address: Cancel and Return to BFSR Home Page Copyright 1999 Walden Fellowship, Inc.
The Elements of Behavior Module #3
OK, this will work with kids (or even babies who cry when placed in their cribs at night), but what about with your sophisticated, stubborn significant other? If that insensitive ingrate is always saying mean things about your mother, how could you reduce that behavior without punishing it? Think about it. What's the reinforcer? Could it be your response? If it is, and you ignore the statements and go about your business, the behavior will fade over time (after escalating‹there's no free lunch). If the reinforcer is something else, the behavior might continue, but chances are, your emotional response is the primary controlling variable here
Technical details: Not considered here are the results if you begin extinction, but sometimes reinforce instead. This will build strong resistance to extinction. Diffential reinforcement of incompatible (DRI) or of alternative ("other") behavior (DRO), discussed in a later module, are often effective alternatives or adjuncts to extinction. Experiencing extinction is often somewhat aversive, and may result in some emotional side effects, discussed in a later module; adding a reinforcement procedure for more desirable behavior can help a lot with this. Extinction also can happen accidentally; this is common in workplace situations‹if excellent performance makes little difference, it eventually fades (see Daniels).
Scenario: (3 year old child, behavior pattern established for 1 year)
Please complete the following:
1. The parent could move out, removing the occasion, but that would not be acceptable here. So, what would you advise this parent to do?
2. What would you warn her/him to be ready for?
3. What is one situation in your own life when you could, or could have, used an extinction procedure?
4. How would you combine this with reinforcement?
For further information, see:
Daniels, A. C. (1994). Bringing out the best in people. New York: McGraw Hill.
Malott, R. W., Whaley, D. L., & Malott, M. E. (1997). Elementary principles of behavior (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
If you would like feedback on your answers, provide your email address and click on the submit button!
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