Making behavior occur less often by ignoring or not reinforcing it is called:
A) punishment.
B) positive reinforcement.
C) extinction.
D) negative reinforcement.
E) shaping.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Extinction is the process of making a behavior occur less often by ignoring or not reinforcing it. This means that the individual will eventually stop exhibiting the behavior because they are no longer receiving a reward or reinforcement for it. Punishment (A) involves adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior, positive reinforcement (B) involves adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behavior, and negative reinforcement (D) involves removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior. Shaping (E) is the process of gradually reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior.

Making Behavior Occur Less Often by Ignoring or Not Reinforcing