Extinction of Learned Behavior Lecture 13

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 ~

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

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

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

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 ~

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 ~

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

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

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

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 ~

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

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

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

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 ~

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

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 ~

Reacquisition Hi Strength of R Lo Acquisition Extinction Reacquisition

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 ~

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 ~