What happens during the process of extinction?

During the process of extinction, formerly reinforced behavior decreases over time. This occurs when a behavior that has previously received reinforcement no longer results in that reinforcement. For example, if a child has been given praise for completing their homework but then that praise is no longer given, the child may start to decrease their homework completion in response to not receiving the reinforcement.

This phenomenon illustrates the basic principle that behaviors are maintained by their consequences. When reinforcement is stopped, the absence of that reinforcement leads to a gradual decline in the frequency of the behavior until it may eventually extinguish. Understanding this process is crucial in behavior analysis, as it helps in effectively managing and modifying behaviors by manipulating reinforcement schedules.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe what occurs during extinction. For instance, reinforcing behavior more often contradicts the essence of extinction, where reinforcement is removed. Introducing new behaviors does not inherently address the extinction of a specific behavior. Additionally, intensifying consequences does not align with the principles of extinction, as it is not about increasing the consequences but rather about the removal of reinforcement that leads to the decrease in behavior.