Lecture 6 (operant extinction)

operant extinction

when a previously reinforced bhvr is emitted and not followed by reinforcement, individual is less likely to repeat bhvr

response was increased in frequency through reinforcement — now ceasing to reinforce causes bhvr to decrease

control of reinforcers for the bhvr that is to be decreased

reinforcers from others or from environment can undo extinction

make sure reinforcers you are withholding are actually the ones maintaining bhvr

combining extinction with positive reinforcement for an alternative bvhr

differential reinforcement of alternative bhvr

setting in which extinction is carried out

minimize the influence of alternative reinforcers on the undesirable bhvr (from others in the old setting)

maximize the chances of the bhvr modifier pressing with the program

use of instructions or rules

may speed up bhvr change

“if you do X (undesirable bhvr) then Y (reinforcing item) will no longer occur

schedule of reinforcement before extinction is carried out

continuer reinforcement is quick to extinction

intermittent reinforcement may be slow to extinction (resistant)

bhvr being extinhushed might get worse before it gets better

extinction burst: temporary increase in responding during extinction

in situation where extinction burst may be harmful: need to take preventative measures, or extinction should not be used

rule to follow

if you introduce operant extinction, keep with it

things usually get worse before they get better but hang in there it’ll be worth it in the long run

elicited aggression

extinction may produce aggression that interferes with the program

agression lower in program that reinforce alternative bhvrs

spontaneous recovery

reappearance of an extinguished bhvr after a delay

pitfalls of operant extinction

those who are unaware of extinction may unknowably decrease a desirable behaviour

desirable behaviour must be occasionally reinforced

selecting the behaviour to be decreased

be specific

selecting proper location (bhvr might get worse before better)

selecting bhvr for which u can control the reinforcers maintaining it

preliminary considerations

keep track of bhvr occurrence before extinction

identify current reinforcers

identify alternative desirable bhvr

identify effective reinforcers for desirable alt bhvr

select setting in which extinction will be successful

let all relevant individuals know what is going on (what is being extinguished and what is being reinforced)

implementing the plan

tell individual about plan before starting

use rules of reinforcement if rewarding alt bhvr

be consistent

weaning from program

be prepared for occasional relapses

three possible reasons for failure: 1. attention withholding is not the reinforcer, 2. undesirable bhvr is reiciving intermittent reinforcement from another source , 3. desired alternative bhvr has not been strengthened enough