3 Extinction Procedures and Safeguards Free Online FlashCards

What does extinction mean in behavior analysis?

Extinction is discontinuing the specific consequence that has been reinforcing a behavior, so the behavior may decrease over time.

How does extinction differ from punishment?

Extinction removes the behavior’s maintaining reinforcer; punishment adds a consequence intended to reduce behavior.

How should a behavior’s function be identified?

Use an appropriate functional behavior assessment to identify the maintaining outcome; do not infer a behavior’s function from how it looks.

What could extinction look like for attention-maintained calling out?

Withhold the specific reinforcing attention after calling out, while promptly responding to an appropriate way of asking for attention.

What could extinction look like when grabbing is maintained by access to a toy?

Do not provide the toy after grabbing; teach and reinforce an appropriate request for it.

What safeguards matter for escape-maintained behavior?

Do not let the behavior alone end the task; plan carefully, make the task manageable, and teach an appropriate way to request a break.

Why can extinction be impractical for automatically reinforced behavior?

There may be no practical consequence to withhold when the behavior produces its own sensory consequence, making extinction difficult or infeasible.

What is a functionally equivalent replacement behavior?

Teach a safer or more appropriate behavior that obtains the same outcome, and reinforce it reliably.

What should a written extinction plan specify?

A qualified behavior professional should assess suitability and write a plan covering the target behavior, procedures, roles, data collection, review schedule, and safety steps.

What consent-related safeguards should be considered?

Obtain informed consent and, when applicable, consider and seek the person’s assent.

Why can inconsistent extinction implementation be a problem?

If the maintaining consequence still follows the behavior some of the time, extinction may be ineffective; inconsistent implementation can make behavior more persistent.

What is an extinction burst?

An extinction burst is a possible temporary increase in behavior’s frequency, intensity, or duration after reinforcement stops.