FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the definition of extinction in behavioral management?

1. The removal of a reward to reduce a behavior

2. The practice of ignoring an undesired behavior to hope it disappears

3. The reinforcement of a desired behavior through praise

4. The creation of a new behavior through conditioning

The correct answer is: The practice of ignoring an undesired behavior to hope it disappears

In behavioral management, extinction is defined as the practice of ignoring an undesired behavior to hope it disappears. This approach relies on the principle that if a behavior is not reinforced through attention or reaction, it will eventually diminish and cease. The underlying idea is that by not providing reinforcement—either positive or negative—when the undesired behavior occurs, the individual learns that such behavior does not lead to the expected outcome (such as attention or reaction from others), effectively decreasing its frequency over time. This method is often used for behaviors that are maintained by attention or are excessive in nature. By consistently ignoring the behavior, educators or caregivers can help students or individuals learn that it is not a viable strategy for gaining attention or meeting their needs.