Extinction of Learned Behavior

Lesson 14

Extinction of Reinforced Behavior

Behavior changes relatively permanent Modifiable if situation changes NOT unlearning

Respondent: cue doesn’t predict important event CS : No US

Operant: B no longer followed by important event SD : B No SR ~

Extinction

Strength of R

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Acquisition CS : No US B No SR

Effects of Extinction

Respondent behavior CR diminishes Emotional: frustration/relief

Operant behavior B Extinction burst Gradual B response variability ~

Operant Extinction

Strength of R

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Acquisition B No SR

frustration burst & response variability ~

Extinction & Negative RFT

Escape behavior B terminates aversive event extinction similar to positive RFT

Avoidance Behavior B prevents aversive event Resistant to extinction limited exposure to SD

flooding exposure to complete SD ~

Extinction: Punishment

Recovery of Punished Behavior Behavior no longer punished

B no SR

B full recovery original B level depends on intensity & frequency

of punishment ~

Extinction vs Forgetting

Forgetting Decay of memory With passage of time

Extinction Requires B to occur repeatedly Without RFT ~

Extinction vs. Habituation

Habituation reflexive response Reflexive response inherited

Extinction in an acquired response B no longer reinforced Response acquired via learning ~

Operant: Extinction vs. Punishment

Both reduce behavior frequency extinction gradual strong punishment rapid

Positive punishment disadvantages fear responses escape/avoidance aggression ~

Why Does Extinction Occur?

Inhibitory learning CS+ : no US and SD : B no SR

contingencies change become inhibitory signals: CS- / SΔ

Operant: role of CERs nonRFT frustration

B aversive CER: B nonPunishment relief

B appetitive CER: B ~

Reinstatement after Extinction

Recovery of learned responses (CR) response to CS+ / SD

Phenomena Spontaneous Recovery Disinhibition Renewal effect

Shows that association intact NOT unlearned ~

Spontaneous Recovery

Strength of R

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Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

Time passes

Passage of time since last CS/SD ~

Disinhibition

Strength of CR

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NovelStimulus

Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

Novel stimulus precedes CS/SD ~

Renewal Effect

Extinction context-dependent Acquisition: “old” environment Extinction: “new” environment

Go back to “old” environment Responses are renewed

Indicates association intact All CS / SD not present during extinction different contexts ~

Renewal Effect: Flying Phobia

Acquisition:in plane

Old

Fear Gone?

Extinction:at clinic

New

Reacquisition

Events paired again CS : US B SR

Associations quickly re-strengthened fewer trials asymptote than original acquisition

Because previous associations intact adaptive behaviors relapse for maladaptive behaviors ~

Reacquisition

Strength of R

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Acquisition Extinction Reacquisition

Parodoxical RFT Effects Particularly for CRF

expectation of RFT No SR frustration faster extinction

Overtraining Extinction Effect More training higher expectation of RFT

Magnitude of RFT RFT magnitude higher expectation of RFT

Frustration when not RFT aversive – acts like punisher ~

Extinction ≠ Unlearning Association persists after extinction Reinstatement of responding after

extinction Spontaneous recovery Renewal Effect Disinhibition Reacquisition

Difficulty in treating addictions & behavioral disorders Relapse can occur relatively easy ~