Extinction
Extinction
Extinction is when a learned behavior gradually disappears because reinforcement is no longer provided.
Details
Extinction refers to the phenomenon where a previously reinforced behavior gradually decreases and disappears when reinforcement is no longer given.
For example, if you stop responding to a child's tantrums, the tantrum behavior will decrease over time. At first, the behavior may temporarily intensify (extinction burst), but if you stay consistent, the effect will appear.
When you want to eliminate an unwanted habit, you can try applying the principle of extinction — Mindy is here to help you think it through.
💡 Real-Life Example
"When tantrums are met with no response, the tantrum behavior gradually decreases" — that's extinction.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.