ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What does the term 'extinction' refer to in behavioral terms?

1. Increase in behavior due to positive reinforcement

2. Removal of a previously reinforced positive stimulus

3. Introduction of negative consequences for behavior

4. Complete cessation of all behavior

The correct answer is: Removal of a previously reinforced positive stimulus

The term 'extinction' in behavioral terms specifically refers to the process where a previously reinforced behavior decreases or eventually stops when the reinforcement is removed. This aligns with the correct choice, which indicates the removal of a previously reinforced positive stimulus. When a behavior is no longer followed by a reinforcement that it once received, it may lead to a decline in that behavior over time. For instance, if a child receives praise (a positive stimulus) for cleaning their room, but the praise is no longer given, the likelihood of the child continuing to clean their room may decrease. This concept is vital in understanding how behaviors can change over time based on reinforcement patterns. The other options present concepts that are related to behavioral modification but do not accurately define extinction. For instance, an increase in behavior due to positive reinforcement is a hallmark of reinforcement itself, not extinction. Introducing negative consequences for behavior relates to punishment rather than extinction, and complete cessation of all behavior would imply a total stop, which extends beyond the gradual decrease that characterizes extinction.