What does extinction refer to in behavioral psychology?

In behavioral psychology, extinction specifically refers to the process of no longer reinforcing a previously reinforced behavior. This means that if a behavior that was once rewarded or reinforced stops receiving reinforcement, the frequency of that behavior is expected to decrease over time. For instance, if a child is accustomed to receiving praise or a treat for completing their homework and that reinforcement is removed, the likelihood of the child continuing to complete their homework may diminish.

The concept of extinction is crucial because it emphasizes the importance of reinforcement in maintaining behaviors. When reinforcement is applied, it strengthens the behavior, but once that reinforcement is removed, the behavior may diminish or even cease entirely.

Understanding extinction helps in the application of behavioral interventions, where modifying reinforcement strategies can lead to significant changes in behavior patterns. This is not about increasing or intensifying behavior; rather, it's about the absence of reinforcement leading to a decrease in behavior occurrence.