During extinction, a previously reinforced behavior is no longer followed by a reinforcer. What is the expected outcome for the behavior in the future?

In the context of behavior analysis, extinction refers to the process whereby a behavior that has been previously reinforced is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in the frequency of that behavior over time. When reinforcement is removed, the individual does not receive the expected positive outcome for their actions, which typically results in frustration or diminished motivation to continue the behavior.

As reinforcement is a key factor that encourages and maintains a behavior, its absence creates a scenario where the individual is less likely to repeat that behavior in the future. This concept is grounded in operant conditioning principles, which suggest that behaviors followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated, while those that are not reinforced will diminish. Thus, one can predict that, in most circumstances, the expected outcome is a decrease in the occurrence of the previously reinforced behavior.

Understanding this process is crucial in fields such as behavior therapy and special education, where practitioners implement strategies to modify behaviors effectively.