1. Extinction of Learned Behavior
Lecture 13

2. 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 ~

3. Extinction Hi
Strength
of R Lo
Acquisition CS : No US
B  No SR

4. Effects of Extinction Respondent behavior CR diminishes
Emotional: frustration/relief
Operant behavior
 B Extinction burst
Gradual  B
 response variability ~

5. Operant Extinction frustration  burst &  response variability ~ Hi
Strength
of R Lo
Acquisition B  No SR
frustration  burst &  response variability ~

6. Extinction & Negative RFT of
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 ~

7. 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 ~

8. Extinction vs Forgetting
Decay of memory
With passage of time
Extinction
Requires B to occur repeatedly
Without RFT ~

9. Extinction vs. Habituation
 reflexive response
Reflexive response inherited
Extinction
 in an acquired response
B no longer reinforced
Response acquired via learning ~

10. Operant: Extinction vs. Punishment
Both reduce behavior frequency
extinction  gradual
strong punishment  rapid
Positive punishment disadvantages
fear responses
escape/avoidance
aggression ~

11. 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 ~

12. Reinstatement after Extinction
Recovery of learned responses (CR)
response to CS+ / SD
Phenomena
Spontaneous Recovery
Disinhibition
Renewal effect
Shows that association intact
NOT unlearned ~

13. Spontaneous Recovery Passage of time since last CS/SD ~ Hi Time passes
Strength
of R Lo
Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

14. Disinhibition Novel stimulus precedes CS/SD ~ Novel Stimulus Hi
Strength
of CR Lo
Acquistion Extinction CS/SD occurs

15. 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 ~

16. Renewal Effect: Flying Phobia
Acquisition:
in plane
Extinction:
at clinic
New
Old
Fear Gone?

17. 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 ~

18. Reacquisition Hi
Strength
of R Lo
Acquisition Extinction Reacquisition

19. 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 ~

20. 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 ~