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Correct Answer: extinction.
tinction.
extinction, in the context of behavioral psychology, refers to the process by which a previously learned behavior is reduced or eliminated because it is no longer reinforced. this method is used to discourage undesirable behaviors by simply not reacting to them when they occur. in other words, neither positive reinforcement (rewarding the behavior) nor negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus in response to the behavior) is provided, leading the behavior to gradually diminish over time.
for example, if a child throws tantrums to get attention and parents decide to systematically ignore these outbursts (i.e., they do not give the child any attention when the tantrum occurs), the tantrums may decrease over time and eventually stop. this happens because the tantrum, which previously secured attention (a form of reinforcement), no longer serves that function, and thus the behavior extinguishes.
it is important to differentiate extinction from other behavioral modification techniques:
1. **conditioning** involves creating an association between a stimulus and a response. it includes both classical and operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified through forms of reinforcement or punishment.
2. **negative reinforcement** involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus when a desired behavior occurs, which actually strengthens the behavior. this is contrary to extinction, where no response is provided to change behavior.
3. **avoidance learning** is another form of learning where a behavior is reinforced through the avoidance of a negative outcome. it does not involve the removal of reinforcements but rather teaches the individual to perform a specific behavior to avoid discomfort.
thus, when it comes to reducing or eliminating unwanted behaviors without the use of direct reinforcement or punishment, extinction is the method typically employed. this approach can be particularly effective in settings like classrooms, therapeutic environments, or even in everyday parenting strategies.
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