What is Extinction in ABA: Key Concepts and Applications

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is renowned for its innovative, evidence-based strategies for understanding and modifying behavior. One of the most powerful—and sometimes misunderstood—techniques within ABA is extinction. In its simplest form, extinction involves deliberately withholding the reinforcement (or reward) that once encouraged a specific behavior, with the ultimate goal of reducing or eliminating that behavior over time. While the concept may appear straightforward, its real-world application is complex, requiring careful planning, unwavering consistency, and a deep understanding of behavioral principles.

Extinction plays a pivotal role in addressing a wide range of challenging behaviors. Whether it’s managing attention-seeking outbursts, handling escape-driven tantrums, or addressing sensory-seeking actions, extinction is a critical tool in the behavioral intervention toolkit. However, its effectiveness often comes with challenges—most notably, the phenomenon known as the extinction burst, where behaviors temporarily intensify before they begin to wane. Without proper guidance, this initial surge can be alarming and may lead to misunderstandings about the process.

I. Understanding Extinction in ABA

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is built on the principle that behaviors are learned and maintained through the consequences they produce. One of the key strategies in ABA is extinction, a process that involves systematically withholding the reinforcement that has historically maintained an undesired behavior. When a behavior no longer leads to its previously rewarding outcome, its frequency gradually diminishes.

A. Defining Extinction in ABA

In the context of ABA, extinction refers to the deliberate removal of reinforcement that has been supporting a specific behavior. It is important to note that extinction is distinct from punishment. While punishment introduces an aversive stimulus following a behavior, extinction simply stops providing the reward or consequence that the behavior once secured. For example, if a child interrupts conversations to gain attention and that attention is consistently withheld, the child eventually learns that the interruption no longer produces the desired outcome, leading to a reduction in that behavior over time.

B. The Role of Reinforcement in ABA

To fully understand extinction, it is essential to grasp the concept of reinforcement—the process by which behaviors are strengthened through positive outcomes. There are several forms of reinforcement:

• Positive Reinforcement: This involves adding a pleasant stimulus (such as praise or a reward) immediately after a behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
• Negative Reinforcement: In this case, an unpleasant stimulus is removed following a behavior, which also increases the probability of the behavior’s recurrence. For instance, ending a tedious task when a desired behavior is exhibited serves as negative reinforcement.
• Automatic (Sensory) Reinforcement: Sometimes, the behavior itself produces a satisfying sensory experience. For example, a child might repeatedly flick a light switch because the visual or tactile feedback is inherently rewarding.

When the reinforcement that maintains a behavior is removed, the behavior’s occurrence naturally declines because it no longer leads to the anticipated reward.

C. The Mechanism of Extinction

The process of extinction unfolds in several stages:

1. Withholding Reinforcement: The first step is to stop rewarding the behavior. Without reinforcement, the individual gradually learns that the behavior is no longer effective in producing the desired outcome.
2. Extinction Burst: Shortly after reinforcement is withheld, there may be a temporary increase in the behavior’s intensity or frequency—a phenomenon known as an extinction burst. This surge occurs because the individual tries harder or more frequently to obtain the lost reinforcement. Although this phase can be challenging, it is typically brief. The key to managing an extinction burst is unwavering consistency in withholding the reinforcement.
3. Spontaneous Recovery: Even after a behavior has decreased, it may sometimes reappear unexpectedly. This brief resurgence, known as spontaneous recovery, highlights the importance of maintaining consistency in the extinction process over the long term.

D. Examples and Practical Scenarios

Real-life examples help illustrate how extinction works in practice:

• Attention-Seeking Behavior:
  Imagine a scenario where a child habitually interrupts conversations to gain attention. When caregivers consistently ignore these interruptions, the child eventually learns that such behavior no longer results in the desired attention, and over time, the behavior declines.
• Escape-Motivated Behavior:
  Consider a child who throws tantrums to avoid a challenging task. If the task is maintained regardless of the tantrum, and the tantrum does not result in escape, the child will learn that this behavior is ineffective. As a result, the frequency of tantrums will decrease over time.
• Sensory-Driven Behavior:
  A child might repeatedly flick a light switch for sensory stimulation. By modifying the environment—such as adjusting the lighting or limiting access to the switch—the sensory reward is diminished. Without sensory feedback, the behavior loses its appeal and occurs less frequently.

II. How Extinction Works in Practice

Once the foundational concepts of extinction are understood, applying them in real-world settings involves a systematic, step-by-step process. This practical approach ensures that behaviors maintained by reinforcement gradually decrease when that reinforcement is removed.

A. The Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify the Behavior:
   • Observe and document the specific behavior and its context.
   • Determine what reinforcement (attention, escape, sensory feedback) is maintaining the behavior.
2. Withhold Reinforcement:
   • Develop a clear plan to stop providing the reinforcement that encourages the behavior.
   • Ensure that everyone involved (parents, educators, therapists) applies this consistently.
3. Manage the Extinction Burst:
   • Expect an initial increase in the behavior’s frequency or intensity, known as an extinction burst.
   • Remain consistent and patient during this phase, as it is a normal part of the process.
4. Monitor for Spontaneous Recovery:
   • Even after a decrease in behavior, occasional brief returns (spontaneous recovery) may occur.
   • Maintain consistency to ensure the behavior continues to decline over time.
5. Reinforce Alternative Behaviors:
   • Simultaneously encourage and reward appropriate replacement behaviors to provide a positive outlet.

III. Types of Extinction Procedures in ABA

Extinction procedures are designed to reduce specific behaviors by removing the reinforcement that maintains them. In ABA, there are three primary types of extinction, each addressing different sources of reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement Extinction

This approach targets behaviors maintained by positive rewards.

• Example: A child interrupts conversations to gain attention.
• Direct Approach: Consistently withhold attention or praise when interruptions occur. The child quickly learns that interrupting no longer results in the desired positive response, leading to a reduction in the behavior.

Escape Extinction

This method applies to behaviors reinforced by the ability to avoid an unpleasant task.

• Example: A child throws a tantrum to escape homework.
• Direct Approach: Present the homework consistently, regardless of tantrums. By not allowing the tantrum to result in task avoidance, the child learns that the behavior does not achieve the intended escape, and the behavior decreases.

Sensory (Automatic) Extinction

This technique deals with behaviors that are self-reinforcing due to sensory input.

• Example: A child repeatedly flicks a light switch for visual stimulation.
• Direct Approach: Modify or remove the sensory stimulus (e.g., adjust the lighting or restrict access to the switch). Without the sensory reward, the behavior loses its appeal and diminishes.

Conclusion

In summary, extinction in ABA is a robust, evidence-based strategy that targets problem behavior by systematically removing the reinforcement for undesirable behavior. Through a comprehensive functional assessment, practitioners can pinpoint the behaviors maintained by specific reinforcers that contribute to negative behaviors—whether they appear as disruptive behavior, self-injurious behaviors, or other forms of problem behavior—and address child struggles effectively. By reducing these challenges and fostering the development of positive behavior, extinction paves the way for lasting, adaptive change..

Take the next step in empowering your child to overcome disruptive behavior and other challenges. Explore our Services page to see how we address child struggles through individualized ABA therapy, visit our Parent Training page for essential resources that help manage self-injurious and problem behaviors, and check out our Diagnostic Evaluations page to learn more about our comprehensive functional assessment process. Contact us today to start your journey toward transforming negative behaviors into positive growth.

FAQs

What is extinction in ABA?

Extinction in ABA is a strategy used to decrease an undesired behavior by consistently withholding the reinforcement that previously maintained that behavior. When the behavior no longer results in the reward it once did, the behavior gradually diminishes.

Can you provide an example of extinction in ABA?

Imagine a child who interrupts conversations to gain attention. If the caregiver or teacher consistently ignores these interruptions—without providing any attention or reaction—the child learns that interrupting no longer results in the desired attention. Over time, the frequency of interruptions decreases because the behavior is no longer reinforced.

What about a scenario involving escape behaviors?

Consider a child who throws tantrums to avoid homework. In an extinction approach, the tantrum is not rewarded by allowing the child to escape the homework. The homework continues to be presented regardless of the tantrum. As the child discovers that the tantrum does not lead to a break from the task, the tantrum behavior gradually decreases.