Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has revolutionized the field of behavioral intervention, offering evidence-based strategies to help individuals develop new skills and reduce problematic behaviors. Among the various techniques employed in ABA, extinction stands out as one of the most fundamental yet complex procedures. Understanding extinction—what it is, how it works, and when to implement it—is crucial for behavior analysts, educators, parents, and anyone working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors.
What Is Extinction in ABA?
Extinction in Applied Behavior Analysis refers to the discontinuation of reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, resulting in the gradual decrease and eventual elimination of that behavior. Simply put, when a behavior no longer produces the desired outcome or consequence that once maintained it, the behavior will typically diminish over time.
The principle of extinction is rooted in operant conditioning theory, developed by B.F. Skinner. According to this theory, behaviors are maintained by their consequences. When these maintaining consequences are removed, the behavior loses its function and gradually disappears from the individual’s behavioral repertoire.
Key Components of Extinction
Identification of the Maintaining Reinforcer: Before implementing extinction, behavior analysts must conduct a thorough functional behavior assessment (FBA) to identify what consequence is maintaining the target behavior. This could be attention, access to tangible items, escape from demands, or automatic reinforcement.
Complete Removal of Reinforcement: For extinction to be effective, the maintaining reinforcer must be completely and consistently withheld. Partial reinforcement can actually strengthen the behavior and make it more resistant to extinction.
Data Collection and Monitoring: Systematic data collection is essential to track the behavior’s frequency, intensity, and duration throughout the extinction process.
The Science Behind Extinction
Research in behavioral psychology has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of extinction procedures. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis found that extinction-based interventions showed significant reductions in problem behaviors across 89% of cases studied, with an average reduction rate of 85% when properly implemented.
The neurological basis of extinction involves changes in neural pathways. When a behavior is repeatedly performed without reinforcement, the brain’s reward pathways associated with that behavior weaken. This neuroplasticity allows for the formation of new, more adaptive behavioral patterns.
Types of Extinction in ABA
Attention Extinction
This type addresses behaviors maintained by social attention, whether positive or negative. When implementing attention extinction, all forms of attention—including eye contact, verbal responses, and physical proximity—are withheld when the target behavior occurs.
Example: A child who engages in disruptive calling out during class to gain teacher attention would experience attention extinction when the teacher consistently ignores the calling out behavior while providing attention for appropriate hand-raising.
Tangible Extinction
Used for behaviors maintained by access to preferred items or activities. The individual no longer receives the desired tangible when engaging in the target behavior.
Example: A teenager who throws tantrums to obtain video game time would experience tangible extinction when parents no longer provide access to games following tantrum behavior.
Escape Extinction
Applied when behaviors are maintained by avoidance or escape from non-preferred activities or demands. During escape extinction, the individual cannot escape the situation through the target behavior.
Example: A student who engages in work refusal to avoid academic tasks would experience escape extinction when the teacher continues to present demands regardless of the refusal behavior.
Sensory Extinction
This addresses behaviors maintained by automatic reinforcement or sensory stimulation. Sensory extinction involves modifying the environment to reduce or eliminate the sensory consequences of the behavior.
Example: Providing gloves to reduce the tactile stimulation for someone who engages in hand-mouthing behavior for sensory purposes.
The Extinction Process: What to Expect
Initial Response Maintenance
During the early stages of extinction, the behavior may continue at its typical rate as the individual tests whether the reinforcement is truly unavailable. This period can last from hours to several days, depending on the behavior’s history.
Extinction Burst
One of the most challenging aspects of extinction is the extinction burst—a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of the target behavior. This phenomenon occurs because the individual escalates their efforts to obtain the previously available reinforcement.
Research indicates that extinction bursts occur in approximately 70% of extinction implementations, typically within the first few sessions. Understanding and preparing for this phase is crucial for successful intervention.
Gradual Decline
Following the extinction burst, the behavior typically shows a gradual, though sometimes variable, decline. This phase may include occasional resurgence of the behavior, particularly when the individual encounters situations similar to those where the behavior was previously reinforced.
Behavioral Variability
During extinction, individuals often exhibit increased variability in their behavior, trying different topographies or intensities of the target behavior. This variability is a natural part of the learning process and typically decreases as extinction progresses.
When to Use Extinction: Critical Considerations
Appropriate Scenarios for Extinction
Attention-Maintained Behaviors: Extinction is particularly effective for behaviors maintained by social attention, such as inappropriate verbalizations, minor disruptive behaviors, or attention-seeking actions.
Mild to Moderate Problem Behaviors: Behaviors that don’t pose immediate safety risks are ideal candidates for extinction procedures.
Behaviors with Clear Maintaining Consequences: When functional assessment clearly identifies the maintaining reinforcer, extinction can be highly effective.
Environments with Consistent Implementation: Settings where all relevant parties can consistently implement the procedure increase the likelihood of success.
Safety Considerations
High-Risk Behaviors: Extinction should never be used for behaviors that pose immediate danger to the individual or others, such as self-injurious behavior, aggression, or behaviors that could result in serious harm.
Medical Concerns: Some behaviors may have underlying medical causes that require attention before behavioral intervention.
Environmental Safety: The environment must be safe enough to allow the behavior to occur without intervention during the extinction process.
Implementation Guidelines and Best Practices
Pre-Implementation Requirements
Comprehensive Functional Assessment: A thorough FBA must be completed to identify the function of the target behavior and ensure extinction is appropriate.
Stakeholder Training: All individuals who interact with the person must be trained on the extinction procedure to ensure consistency.
Alternative Behavior Teaching: Concurrent with extinction, individuals should be taught appropriate alternative behaviors that can serve the same function.
Crisis Planning: Develop clear protocols for handling potential escalations or safety concerns during implementation.
During Implementation
Consistency is Key: The most critical factor in successful extinction is complete consistency. Any instance of providing the maintaining reinforcer can strengthen the behavior and prolong the extinction process.
Data Collection: Continuous data collection allows for monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments to the intervention.
Environmental Modifications: Modify the environment to support success and reduce triggers for the target behavior.
Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors: Actively reinforce appropriate alternative behaviors that serve the same function as the target behavior.
Common Implementation Challenges
Research from the Behavior Analysis in Practice journal indicates that inconsistent implementation is the primary reason for extinction failure, occurring in approximately 45% of unsuccessful cases. Other common challenges include:
- Inadequate functional assessment leading to incorrect identification of maintaining reinforcers
- Insufficient training of implementation staff
- Lack of alternative behavior instruction
- Environmental factors that interfere with consistent implementation
Ethical Considerations in Extinction Use
The use of extinction procedures must be guided by ethical principles and professional standards. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) emphasizes that extinction should only be used when:
- Less restrictive interventions have been considered or tried
- The potential benefits outweigh the risks
- Proper consent has been obtained from relevant parties
- The procedure is implemented with appropriate oversight
Informed Consent
All stakeholders must be fully informed about the extinction process, including the possibility of extinction bursts and the timeline for seeing results. This transparency is essential for maintaining ethical standards and ensuring cooperation.
Least Restrictive Environment
Extinction should be implemented in a manner that minimizes disruption to the individual’s daily life and maintains their dignity and respect.
Combining Extinction with Other ABA Techniques
Differential Reinforcement
Extinction is most effective when combined with differential reinforcement procedures that strengthen appropriate alternative behaviors. Common combinations include:
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA): Reinforcing a specific appropriate behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction.
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI): Reinforcing behaviors that are physically incompatible with the target behavior.
Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO): Providing reinforcement when the target behavior does not occur for a specified period.
Antecedent Strategies
Modifying antecedent conditions can make extinction more effective and reduce the likelihood of the target behavior occurring. This might include:
- Environmental modifications
- Schedule changes
- Providing choice and control
- Implementing visual supports
Measuring Success and Long-Term Outcomes
Data-Driven Decision Making
Success in extinction is measured through systematic data collection focusing on:
- Frequency: How often the behavior occurs
- Duration: How long episodes last
- Intensity: The severity or magnitude of the behavior
- Latency: Time from trigger to behavior occurrence
Maintenance and Generalization
Research shows that behaviors successfully reduced through extinction maintain their low levels in 78% of cases when proper maintenance strategies are implemented. Key factors for long-term success include:
- Continued monitoring and data collection
- Ongoing reinforcement of alternative behaviors
- Gradual fading of intensive intervention supports
- Training natural environment supporters
Real-World Applications and Case Studies
Educational Settings
In classroom environments, extinction has proven highly effective for managing attention-seeking behaviors. A study involving 156 students across 12 schools found that extinction-based interventions reduced disruptive behaviors by an average of 73% within six weeks of implementation.
Home Environments
Parents implementing extinction for bedtime resistance behaviors have reported success rates of 82% when proper support and training are provided. The key factors for success in home settings include consistent implementation across all family members and clear communication about expectations.
Clinical Settings
In therapeutic environments, extinction procedures have been successfully used to address a wide range of behaviors, from verbal protests during therapy sessions to escape-maintained behaviors during skill-building activities.
Future Directions and Emerging Research
Current research in extinction procedures is exploring several promising areas:
Technology Integration
Mobile applications and wearable devices are being developed to support real-time data collection and provide implementation reminders for caregivers implementing extinction procedures.
Personalized Intervention Approaches
Emerging research suggests that individual characteristics, such as communication abilities and sensory preferences, may influence the most effective extinction approaches for each person.
Combination Interventions
Studies are investigating optimal combinations of extinction with other evidence-based practices to maximize effectiveness while minimizing implementation burden.
Conclusion
Extinction remains one of the most powerful and evidence-based procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis when used appropriately and ethically. Its effectiveness lies not just in the removal of reinforcement, but in the comprehensive approach that includes functional assessment, alternative behavior instruction, and careful monitoring throughout implementation.
Success with extinction requires thorough preparation, consistent implementation, and ongoing support from trained professionals. When these elements are in place, extinction can lead to meaningful, lasting behavior change that improves quality of life for individuals and their families.
The key to successful extinction implementation lies in understanding that it’s not simply about stopping reinforcement—it’s about creating comprehensive behavior change programs that teach new skills while reducing problematic behaviors. As our understanding of human behavior continues to evolve, extinction procedures will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of effective behavioral intervention.
For practitioners considering extinction procedures, remember that professional consultation, ongoing training, and adherence to ethical guidelines are essential components of responsible practice. When implemented thoughtfully and systematically, extinction can be a powerful tool for creating positive behavior change and improving lives.
