Week 5 Flashcards
(15 cards)
Operant Extinction
- A principle of behavior
- If an individual, in a given situation, emits a previously reinforced behavior and that behavior is not followed by a reinforcer, then that person is less likely to do the same thing again in a similar situation
One way to decrease behavior?
Extinction
Positive Punishment
Delivery (+) of a stimulus following a behavior that results in the future decrease of that behavior
Negative Punishment
Removal (-) of a stimulus following a behavior that results in the future decrease of that behavior
Extinction
Withholding of a previously delivered reinforcer following a behavior that results in the future decrease of that behavior
One Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
1. Control of Reinforcers
Two (2) Essential Ingredients!:
1. The use of operant extinction to reduce behavior requires correct ** identification** of the reinforcer(s) maintaining problem behavior
2. The use of operant extinction to reduce behavior requires control of the reinforcer(s) for problem behavior
Extinction Requires 2 Things
- Correct IDENTIFICATION of reinforcer
- Adequate CONTROL over its delivery.
Second Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
Combine Extinction with Positive Reinforcement for Alternative Responses:
* After identifying what maintains problem behavior:
* Withhold reinforcement for problem behavior (extinction)
* Teach an alternative response that yields the same outcome as the problem behavior and deliver reinforcement whenever the alternative behavior occurs
Third Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
The Setting in Which Extinction is Carried Out:
A. Minimize the influence of alternative reinforcers for the undesired behavior
B. Maximize the chance of the behavior modifier persisting and not giving in or giving up
Fourth Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
Rules:
* It is not necessary for an individual to understand the principle of extinction in order for it to work
* Children don’t need to understand extinction before we use extinction to reduce their behavior
* If, however, if it is possible for the individual to understand the rules or contingencies, explain them!
Fifth Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
Consider the Reinforcement Schedule Before Extinction is Implemented:
* Problem behaviors that are reinforced on a continuous schedule respond quickly to extinction
* Problem behaviors that are reinforced on a dense schedule of intermittent reinforcement respond fairly quickly to extinction
* Problem behaviors that are reinforced on a THIN SCHEDULE OF INTERMITTENT REINFORCEMENT respond much more
slowly to extinction
Sixth Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
When Implementing Extinction,
Behavior May Get Worse Before Getting Better:
* Extinction Burst: An increase in responding during extinction
* The rules have changed… no more SR+ * So… the person tries harder!
* If the implementer continues implementing extinction during an extinction burst, responding will decrease… but usually slowly… over time
Seventh Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
Extinction May Produce Aggression:
* Aggression is often a product of extinction if extinction is the only procedure implemented
* By implementing additional procedures, including positive reinforcement for alternative behaviors, the likelihood of aggression is reduced
* Arranging the environment to ensure safety can guard against the possibility of elicited aggression
Eighth Factor Influencing the Effectiveness of Operant Extinction
Spontaneous Recovery is Possible:
* Spontaneous recovery: The reappearance of an extinguished behavior… following a break
* Not a problem if extinction procedure remains in effect
* If, during spontaneous recovery, behavior is reinforced…it will increase (again)
Two Pitfalls of Operant Extinction
-
Being unaware:
* Extinction operates whether or not we know about it or believe in it -
Partial-Knowledge:
* Problem behaviors are attended to while desired behaviors are ignored
