What is Extinction?

What is Extinction?

• A. The process of generalization from one stimulus to another
• B. Strengthening of a conditioned response with reinforcement
• C. A stimulus that triggers a natural response
• D. Weakening of a conditioned response in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus

Answer: (D)

Extinction is the process of weakening a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. In classical conditioning, this happens when you repeatedly present the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus (for example, ringing a bell but never giving food). Over time, the learned response diminishes and may eventually disappear. This reflects new learning—the organism learns that the cue no longer predicts the outcome—rather than erasing the original association entirely (recovery can occur later under certain conditions). In operant conditioning, extinction similarly means a previously reinforced behavior declines when reinforcement stops.

Extinction is the process of weakening a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus. In classical conditioning, this happens when you repeatedly present the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus (for example, ringing a bell but never giving food). Over time, the learned response diminishes and may eventually disappear. This reflects new learning—the organism learns that the cue no longer predicts the outcome—rather than erasing the original association entirely (recovery can occur later under certain conditions). In operant conditioning, extinction similarly means a previously reinforced behavior declines when reinforcement stops.