In the extinction of a positively reinforced behavior, what is no longer delivered after the behavior?

In the extinction of a positively reinforced behavior, the reinforcer is no longer delivered after the behavior occurs. This is the key principle behind extinction within the context of applied behavior analysis. When a behavior that was previously rewarded with a reinforcer no longer receives that reinforcement, the individual is less likely to engage in that behavior in the future.

Reinforcement serves to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring by presenting a positive stimulus following the behavior. When these positive stimuli—reinforcers—are consistently withheld, the behavior eventually diminishes, as the individual learns that the behavior no longer yields the same positive outcome.

The other options do not pertain to the concept of extinction in the same direct manner. Baseline refers to the condition or measurement used for comparison purposes, dependent variable relates to the outcome being measured in research, and antecedent refers to the stimuli or events that occur before the behavior. None of these options accurately captures the essential concept of what is withdrawn during the extinction process, which is specifically the reinforcer.