Extinction is one of the most important concepts in behavior analysis because it directly targets how behaviors are maintained over time. Whether the behavior is learned through operant or respondent conditioning, removing the maintaining reinforcer or unconditioned stimulus can lead to a reduction in that behavior.
For the BCBA® exam, it’s essential to understand the difference between operant and respondent extinction, how each works, common effects like extinction bursts and spontaneous recovery, and the practical applications and ethical considerations in ABA practice.
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Understanding Extinction
In its simplest form, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced or conditioned behavior no longer produces reinforcement (in operant conditioning) or when a conditioned stimulus no longer predicts an unconditioned stimulus (in respondent conditioning).
Extinction doesn’t mean “ignore the behavior” in all cases—it means the reinforcement or unconditioned stimulus that previously maintained the behavior is no longer provided.
Operant Extinction
Operant extinction involves withholding the reinforcer that has been maintaining a behavior.
How It Works
When a reinforcing consequence follows a behavior, it is more likely to occur again in the future. If that consequence is removed, the behavior’s future frequency decreases.
Example in ABA
If a child’s tantrum is maintained by gaining access to a preferred toy, and you stop giving the toy after the tantrum, you are implementing operant extinction.
Key Features of Operant Extinction
- The reinforcer is withheld.
- The behavior gradually decreases in frequency.
- It may involve an extinction burst before behavior decreases.
Common Side Effects
- Extinction Burst: A temporary increase in the behavior’s frequency, intensity, or duration.
- Emotional Behavior: Crying, yelling, or aggression can occur initially.
- Spontaneous Recovery: The behavior may reappear after it has decreased, even without reinforcement.
Respondent Extinction
Respondent extinction is different—it occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented repeatedly without being paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US) it used to predict.
How It Works
If a neutral stimulus has become a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, presenting it repeatedly without the US will eventually eliminate the conditioned response.
Example in ABA
If a dog learns to salivate at the sound of a bell because the bell has been paired with food, and you keep ringing the bell without presenting food, the salivation response will decrease over time.
Key Features of Respondent Extinction
- The CS is presented without the US.
- The conditioned response gradually diminishes.
- More about breaking associations than withholding reinforcement.
Comparing Operant and Respondent Extinction
| Feature | Operant Extinction | Respondent Extinction |
| Maintained by | Reinforcer (positive or negative) | Pairing of CS with US |
| Process | Withholding the reinforcer | Presenting CS without US |
| Example | Stop giving candy after whining | Ringing bell without food |
| Common Side Effects | Extinction burst, spontaneous recovery | Gradual weakening of the conditioned response |
| Primary Learning Type | Operant conditioning | Respondent (classical) conditioning |
Extinction Bursts
One of the most tested topics in ABA exam questions is the extinction burst—a temporary spike in the target behavior after extinction begins. This happens because the learner is “testing” whether the old response still works to get reinforcement.
Example: If pressing a vending machine button no longer delivers soda, you might push it repeatedly, harder, or faster before eventually giving up.
Spontaneous Recovery
Spontaneous recovery occurs when a previously extinguished behavior reappears after some time without the behavior being reinforced. It’s temporary and usually weakens quickly if extinction continues.
Example: A dog stops salivating to the bell after extinction, but a week later, salivation returns briefly when the bell is rung again.
Practical Applications of Extinction in ABA
Operant Extinction in Behavior Reduction Plans
- Remove the maintaining reinforcer for problem behavior.
- Use in combination with reinforcement for alternative behaviors (Differential Reinforcement).
- Ensure consistency across all staff and environments.
Respondent Extinction in Fear and Phobia Treatment
- Present the feared CS without the aversive US until the fear response decreases.
- Commonly used in systematic desensitization.
Ethical Considerations
- Safety: Extinction bursts can involve aggression or self-injury—safety measures must be in place.
- Consistency: If extinction is not applied consistently, the behavior may become more resistant.
- Reinforce Alternatives: Always pair extinction with reinforcement for appropriate behaviors to avoid frustration and promote learning.
Common Misconceptions About Extinction
Even advanced ABA learners often misunderstand extinction because it’s sometimes confused with ignoring, punishment, or forgetting.
Extinction Is Not Just Ignoring
Extinction doesn’t mean you simply turn away from the learner or avoid acknowledging the behavior. The key factor is that the reinforcer maintaining the behavior is no longer delivered. For example, if a student shouts answers to get peer attention, you must ensure peers don’t provide that attention—not just “ignore” the shouting yourself.
Extinction Is Not Punishment
Punishment adds a consequence to reduce behavior, whereas extinction removes the result that previously maintained it. In other words, extinction changes the contingency by withholding something, while punishment introduces something (positive punishment) or removes something valued (negative punishment).
Extinction Works on Both Positive and Negative Reinforcement
When a behavior is maintained by negative reinforcement, extinction involves no longer removing the aversive event following the behavior. For example, if a student escapes a difficult task by complaining, extinction means not allowing the complaint to end the task.
Forgetting Is Not Extinction
Forgetting occurs when behavior decreases due to the passage of time without practice—not because reinforcement is withheld. Extinction is an active process in which the maintaining reinforcer is consistently unavailable following the behavior.
Strategies for Effective Extinction Implementation in ABA Practice
Knowing what extinction is isn’t enough for the BCBA® exam—you also need to understand how to implement it effectively in real-world scenarios.
1. Identify the Correct Reinforcer
An extinction plan fails if you target the wrong maintaining consequence. Conduct a thorough functional behavior assessment (FBA) to determine whether attention, tangibles, escape, or automatic reinforcement maintain the behavior.
2. Ensure 100% Consistency
Inconsistent extinction leads to intermittent reinforcement, which makes the behavior more resistant to change. This is a common error in both exam questions and practice—if one person reinforces the behavior even occasionally, it may persist or worsen.
3. Pair Extinction With Reinforcement of Alternatives
Combining extinction with differential reinforcement (DRA, DRI, DRO) teaches learners what to do instead. For example, while ignoring attention-seeking screams, you could reinforce the learner for using a communication card.
4. Plan for Extinction Bursts
Prepare staff and caregivers for temporary increases in behavior. If they’re not ready for an extinction burst, they might “give in,” unintentionally reinforcing the behavior at its peak intensity.
5. Monitor for Emotional Side Effects
Some learners may show increased aggression, self-injury, or withdrawal during extinction. Ethical practice means having safety protocols in place and discontinuing the procedure if the risks outweigh the benefits.
6. Adjust Based on Data
Track behavior frequency, intensity, and duration daily. If the behavior isn’t decreasing after a reasonable period, revisit the FBA to confirm you’ve identified the correct function and reinforcer.
Key Takeaways
- Operant extinction removes the reinforcer that maintains a behavior.
- Respondent extinction breaks the link between CS and US.
- Extinction bursts and spontaneous recovery are normal parts of the process.
- Ethical and consistent implementation is critical for effectiveness.
FAQs
How can you tell if a behavior is maintained by operant or respondent conditioning?
The easiest way is to look at what controls the behavior. If the behavior changes because of what happens after it occurs (the consequence), it’s operant conditioning. For example, if a child cleans their room because they get praise, that’s operant. If the behavior is an automatic, reflexive response triggered by something before it happens (a stimulus), it’s respondent conditioning. For example, salivating when smelling cookies is a response. Understanding this difference is critical for applying the correct extinction procedure.
Can extinction work without reinforcement for alternative behaviors?
Yes, it can reduce the target behavior, but it’s rarely the most ethical or effective choice. Without an alternative behavior being reinforced, the learner may experience frustration, emotional distress, or may resort to other challenging behaviors. Best practice in ABA is to pair extinction with a reinforcement strategy like Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) so that the learner has a clear, reinforced replacement behavior.
Do extinction bursts mean the procedure is failing?
No—an extinction burst is a predictable sign that the behavior is no longer being reinforced. It’s the learner’s way of “testing” whether the old response will still work. The important part is to maintain consistency and not accidentally reinforce the burst. Over time, if extinction is applied correctly, the burst will subside, and behavior will decrease. The BCBA® exam often includes scenarios where a temporary spike in behavior is mistaken for treatment failure—don’t fall for that trap.
Why is respondent extinction slower in some cases?
Some conditioned responses are tied to strong emotional or survival-based reactions, which makes them more resistant to extinction. For example, suppose someone developed a fear of dogs after being bitten. In that case, the conditioned fear response to dogs may take many repeated exposures (CS presentations without the US)to diminish fully. Additionally, if the CS-US pairing has been reinforced over many years, more extinction trials will be needed.
Can spontaneous recovery happen multiple times?
Yes, spontaneous recovery can occur more than once, even after behavior seems to have fully extinguished. Each time, the returned behavior is typically weaker and will reduce again if extinction procedures are maintained. For example, after a week of no barking at the mail carrier, a dog might bark once when the mail carrier reappears. If no reinforcement follows, the barking will fade again. This is why follow-up and continued observation are essential in both clinical and natural environments.
Also Read: Concurrent, Multiple, Mixed, and Chained Schedules of Reinforcement: BCBA® Exam Study Guide