📌 Extinction should be used only after changing the environment and reinforcing other incompatible behaviors have not worked, and it should always be paired with reinforcement for desirable behaviors.
1. A student raises a hand more frequently when a particular teacher is present, after hand-raising has repeatedly been reinforced in that teacher’s presence. What does this pattern illustrate?
2. A child’s requests for a toy previously led to receiving it, but caregivers stop providing the toy after those requests. If the requests decrease over time, what process is occurring?
3. A team has tried changing the environment and reinforcing an incompatible behavior without success. It now plans to withhold reinforcement for a problem behavior. Which plan follows the guidance for using extinction?
What is stimulus control?
A behavior occurs more often in the presence of a specific stimulus because it has been consistently associated with reinforcement of that behavior.
What happens to a previously reinforced behavior during extinction?
It decreases over time when reinforcement stops.
When should extinction be used, and what should accompany it?
Only after environmental changes and incompatible-behavior reinforcement fail, paired with reinforcement for desirable behaviors.
What are four ways to implement extinction?
Ignore the behavior, deny reinforcing access, prevent escape, or prevent reinforcing sensory feedback.
What happens during an extinction burst?
The behavior temporarily increases after its reinforcer is cut off, before beginning to decline.
What ethical condition applies to punishment that causes client pain or harm?
It is unethical.
It covers the core concepts of Principles of Behavior, organized by topic with the key definitions, explanations and takeaways, so it's easier to learn and remember.
Read the full study guide →The practice quiz has 18 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation. Use it to check what you know and find your gaps.
Take the quiz (18 questions) →There are 23 flashcards on Principles of Behavior, with a question on the front and the answer on the back. Try to recall each answer before you flip, and let spaced repetition bring back the ones you miss.
See all 23 flashcards →Upload a PDF or paste your notes. Revizly writes a study guide, a practice quiz and flashcards in about a minute.