Ch. 14 - Applying Extinction

Question 1

What is the key to applying extinction?

Answer 1

Identifying the reinforcer that maintains the problem behaviour and then eliminating it.

Question 2

What are the 6 steps in extinction?

Answer 2

Collect data to assess treatment effects, identify the reinforcer for the problem behaviour through functional assessment, eliminate the reinforcer after each instance, consider the schedule of reinforcement for the behaviour, reinforce alternative behaviours, and promote the generalization and maintenance.

Question 3

Why is functional assessment critical for extinction procedures?

Answer 3

The specific reinforcer for the problem behaviour needs to be identified so it can be eliminated.

Question 4

What is important to remember about identifying problem behaviour reinforcers?

Answer 4

Not everyone who exhibits the same problem behaviour has the same reinforcer.

Question 5

What are the 5 questions to ask when eliminating the reinforcer?

Answer 5

Have you identified the it? Can you eliminate the it? Is extinction safe to use? Can an extinction burst be tolerated? Can consistency be maintained?

Question 6

What effect does the schedule of reinforcement of the problem behaviour have on the extinction procedure?

Answer 6

It determines how quickly the problem behaviour decreases in frequency. Continuous reinforcement schedules yield swift decreases, intermittent schedules yield slower decreases.

Question 7

What is often used before extinction in the case of a previously intermittently reinforced behaviour?

Answer 7

A brief period of continuous reinforcement of the problem behaviour so that the following extinction procedure goes faster.

Question 8

How can generalization be promoted?

Answer 8

Extinction must be implemented consistently by all change agents and must be implemented in all circumstances in which behaviour change is expected.

Question 9

How can maintenance be promoted?

Answer 9

Implementing the extinction procedure after the initial suppression of the behaviour, and whenever the problem behaviour occurs again.

Question 10

How important is differential reinforcement in an extinction process?

Answer 10

Very important. An alternative behaviour should always be reinforced when one is extinguished.