We have been
learning about ways to strengthening operant behavior through reinforcement.
Like we already learned behaviors can be strengthened through reinforcement.
But what we did not touch on is that a behavior can be wakened through
extinction. Extinction is the non-reinforcement of a former reinforced response;
the results of this process is a decrease in the strength of that responses
strength. For example, a child learned that every time he whines he will receive
candy, he will continue to whine every time he wants candy but, if you switch
it up and withhold the candy the frequency of the whining will decline. This is
an example of a gradual weakening of a conditioned response that resulted in
the behavior decreasing or disappearing. When you stop rewarding the behavior
will eventually stop. This is something that is important for everyone to know,
it is a useful tool that we will all come across as adults whether we are
dealing with a child or an animal.
Extinction in operant condition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_YobQy3wxA