Understanding Extinction in Behavior Therapy: Definition & Examples

Key Points:

• Extinction involves removing reinforcement for an unwanted behavior, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time. It is a core principle in ABA therapy for reducing undesired behaviors.
• Extinction works by stopping the factor that maintains a behavior. This process often requires consistency and patience as the behavior may initially increase before decreasing (referred to as extinction bursts).
• Some practical examples of extinction include reducing attention-seeking behaviors, decreasing tantrums for tangible rewards, and reducing self-stimulatory behaviors.

Behavior therapy is a powerful tool used to help modify behaviors and promote positive changes. Among its various strategies, extinction plays a crucial role in reducing unwanted behaviors. According to the National Institute of Health, strategies like extinction are often shown to be effective in improving behavior when combined with other techniques. 

Understanding extinction in behavior therapy is essential for those seeking to modify problematic behaviors, especially in individuals with autism, developmental delays, and other behavioral conditions.

In this article, we will break down what extinction in behavior therapy means, how it works, and explore practical examples to help you gain a clearer understanding of its application. Whether you're a parent, educator, or therapist, learning how extinction can be used in various scenarios will equip you with tools to encourage positive behavior change.

What Is Extinction in Behavior Therapy?

Extinction in behavior therapy refers to the process of eliminating reinforcement for a behavior, which leads to a decrease in that behavior over time. The term “extinction” comes from the idea that, by withholding the reinforcement, the behavior “dies out” or stops occurring. It’s an important strategy in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is commonly used to reduce behaviors that are socially disruptive, harmful, or otherwise undesirable.

For instance, a child who screams for attention might be receiving attention (reinforcement) every time they scream. If that reinforcement (attention) is removed, the behavior will typically decrease over time as the child learns that screaming no longer results in the desired outcome.

In short, extinction works by removing the "reward" that reinforces an undesirable behavior, which ultimately reduces its occurrence.

Key Features of Extinction in Behavior Therapy:

Extinction is a key technique in behavior therapy, aimed at reducing unwanted behaviors by eliminating the reinforcement that sustains them. While the process can take time, it often leads to gradual improvements in behavior. Below are some of the main characteristics of how extinction works in practice:

• Reinforcement removal

The core principle of extinction is eliminating the factor that maintains the behavior.

• Gradual decline

Extinction often leads to a gradual decrease in the behavior, as opposed to an immediate disappearance.

• Potential for extinction bursts

Sometimes, the behavior may increase temporarily (extinction burst) before it decreases.

How Does Extinction Work in Behavior Therapy?

Extinction in behavior therapy works by stopping the reward that encourages a particular behavior. Let's explore how this process takes place and what factors affect its success.

When a person engages in a behavior, it is often driven by a specific reinforcement—whether it's attention, tangible rewards, or sensory input. When a child screams to get their parent’s attention, the reinforcement is the parent’s response. 

However, if the parent stops providing attention when the child screams, the behavior will eventually fade because the child learns that screaming no longer results in the desired outcome.

But extinction isn’t as simple as just stopping the reinforcement; it requires careful consideration of several factors including:

1. Consistency

To be effective, extinction must be implemented consistently. If reinforcement is given intermittently, the behavior may persist or even escalate.

2. Time

Extinction requires patience. It can take time for the behavior to decrease, especially if the behavior has been reinforced for a long time.

3. Extinction Bursts

Often, when a behavior is first extinguished, that behavior might worsen (referred to as extinction burst) before it begins to decrease. This can be a challenging phase to navigate, but it’s a normal part of the process.

Practical Examples of Extinction in Behavior Therapy

To further understand extinction in behavior therapy, let’s explore some real-world examples.

1. Attention-Seeking Behaviors

One of the most common uses of extinction in behavior therapy is for attention-seeking behaviors. Imagine a child who regularly screams to get their parent’s attention. The parent may reinforce this behavior by responding to the scream and giving the child the attention they want. In this case, the reinforcement is the parent’s attention.

To reduce this behavior, the parent could stop responding to the child’s screams, and provide no attention (positive or negative). Over time, the child learns that screaming does not get the desired response, and the behavior will decrease.

However, the child may initially scream louder or more frequently (referred to as extinction bursts). It’s important for the parent to stay consistent and not return to reinforcing the behavior, as that would undo the progress.

2. Tantrums for Tangible Rewards

Another common example is when a child throws tantrums to obtain a desired item or reward. If the child has learned that throwing a tantrum leads to getting what they want (like a toy or snack), this behavior is reinforced.

To reduce the tantrums, the parent or therapist would withhold the item or reward when the tantrum occurs. Over time, the behavior will fade as the child learns that tantrums no longer lead to the desired outcome.

Extinction bursts might occur in this situation, too. The child may throw even bigger tantrums initially, which can be difficult to manage. Patience and consistency are crucial during this phase.

3. Self-Stimulatory Behaviors

Some children engage in self-stimulatory behaviors (like hand-flapping or rocking) to provide themselves with sensory input. If the behavior is reinforced (e.g., the child is allowed to engage in these behaviors because they help calm them down), the behavior may continue.

In cases like this, extinction might involve limiting access to the reinforcing stimuli. For example, the therapist may gradually reduce the frequency of the behavior and encourage alternative ways for the child to get sensory input.

The challenge here is that the child may not immediately understand the new way to get sensory input. This may require additional teaching and support.

Benefits of Using Extinction in Behavior Therapy

While extinction in behavior therapy can be challenging at times, it offers several important benefits when used appropriately:

Challenges and Considerations in Using Extinction

Though extinction can be highly effective, there are a few challenges to consider:

1. Extinction bursts

As mentioned, behaviors can get worse before they get better, which can be frustrating.

2. Consistency is key

It’s critical to avoid giving in during the extinction burst. Inconsistent implementation can reinforce the behavior and make it worse.

3. Emotional response

Extinction can evoke strong emotional responses in individuals, and managing those reactions requires sensitivity and patience.

Get Professional ABA Therapy Support Today

Extinction in behavior therapy is an essential technique in ABA that can help reduce unwanted behaviors in a variety of contexts. By eliminating the reward that drives these behaviors, individuals can learn more adaptive and functional responses over time. While it may take patience and consistency, extinction is a powerful tool in achieving long-term behavioral change.

Are you ready to help your child or loved one reduce unwanted behaviors? Astra ABA offers tailored ABA therapy services in NC and Indiana, using techniques like extinction to improve behavior and foster positive change. Reach out today for a consultation and see how our expert team can help.