ABA Exam CoachLessons · B. Concepts and Principles
B.11 · Operant vs. respondent extinction
"Extinction" is one word doing four jobs: it can be operant or respondent, and it can mean an operation or a process. Let's sort all four out in the next few minutes so the word stops tripping you up.
Key takeaway
Operant extinction: the operation is withholding the reinforcer that maintains an emitted behavior, and the process is that behavior gradually decreasing. Respondent extinction: the operation is presenting the CS repeatedly without the US, and the process is the CS gradually losing its power to elicit the CR. The operation is what gets done. The process is the change in behavior that follows. Spontaneous recovery can happen with both kinds.
Operant extinction: the operation is withholding the reinforcer that maintains an emitted behavior, and the process is that behavior gradually decreasing. Respondent extinction: the operation is presenting the CS repeatedly without the US, and the process is the CS gradually losing its power to elicit the CR. The operation is what gets done. The process is the change in behavior that follows. Spontaneous recovery can happen with both kinds.
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The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.