What is Extinction in Psychology

We introduce a core idea that explains how learned responses fade when reinforcement stops. This process helps us predict behavior change across therapy, classrooms, and daily habits.

We define the decline of conditioned responses as gradual, not instant. In learning, a response weakens when expected outcomes no longer appear.

We preview two routes: one for automatic reactions and one for voluntary acts. This helps readers link classic studies to real examples like Pavlov and Skinner, and to practical plans for habit work.

Finally, we set expectations for this ultimate guide. We will cover mechanisms, common pitfalls such as brief surges in behavior, and ways to reduce relapse with clear, usable steps.

Extinction in psychology: the core definition and why it matters for behavior change

We explain how a previously reliable response loses power when the payoff no longer arrives. That shift matters because it changes why someone acts the way they do. Extinction is a process that alters the reward structure that once kept behavior steady.

What “extinction occurs” really means

When extinction occurs, a response that once produced reinforcement no longer does. Over repeated opportunities the action weakens. This happens whether the cue no longer predicts an outcome or a reward is withheld.

How time and repeated non-reinforcement weaken learning

Time matters because the brain needs many trials to update expectations. With each non-reinforced trial the response drops a bit. Consistent non-reinforcement speeds the decline; sporadic rewards slow it and make behaviors last longer.

Why extinction does not erase earlier learning

Extinction often reflects new learning that competes with the old. The original memory can return, so relapse is possible. The practical result: consistent application of non-reinforcement yields more predictable decline.

Context	What stops	Typical timecourse	Practical note
Classical conditioning	Unconditioned stimulus	Gradual	Repeat non-pairings
Operant conditioning	Reinforcement	Slow decline	Be consistent to reduce relapse
Everyday habits	Payoff removed	Varies with history	Well-established acts take longer

How extinction works in classical conditioning

We trace how a simple cue that once predicted an event slowly loses its pull when the expected outcome stops arriving.

Conditioned stimulus vs. unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned response

In classical conditioning a conditioned stimulus (a neutral cue) comes to predict an unconditioned stimulus (an automatic trigger like food). Over time the conditioned response appears when the cue shows up.

If the conditioned stimulus repeats without the unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned response weakens. This follows basic research on cue–outcome updating.

Pavlov’s dog: sound, food, and the fading salivation response

Pavlov paired a sound with food until the dog salivated at the sound alone. During extinction the sound played without food and salivation fell across trials.

Fear conditioning examples: when a cue no longer predicts threat

Fear responses decline when a cue that once signaled danger is repeatedly experienced safely. This principle underpins exposure work for anxiety.

Parts list: conditioned stimulus, unconditioned stimulus, conditioned response.
Process: cue appears → expected event does not follow → response drops over repeated trials.
Clinical note: repeated safe exposures support lasting change.

How extinction works in operant conditioning

When a learned action no longer earns a reward, the pattern of responding shifts in predictable ways. In operant conditioning this happens when reinforcement stops and a response no longer produces a consequence.

When a rewarded behavior stops paying off: reinforcement removal in action

We see an initial surge as the subject tries harder or varies the response. Frequency and intensity often spike before a steady decline follows.

Skinner’s lever-press discovery and the extinction curve

B. F. Skinner noted the first clear extinction curve when a pellet dispenser jammed and lever pressing fell in a patterned way. The curve helps us chart change instead of guessing if progress occurred.

Real-life example: a child’s attention-seeking behavior and planned ignoring

When a child’s misbehavior is maintained by attention, planned ignoring can remove that reward. If attention slips back after a bigger outburst, the decline stalls and the behavior may persist.

How discriminative stimuli and an extinction stimulus change responding

Discriminative stimuli signal when reinforcement is available. An extinction stimulus (SΔ) signals it is not. Detecting these cues lets us predict when behaviors will rise or fall and apply alternatives effectively.

What is Extinction in Psychology in everyday life

When the little gains that fuel a routine disappear, the routine often declines over repeated tries. We translate lab terms into practical steps so readers can recognize how habits fade at home, work, or school.

Habits and rewards: why behaviors fade when the payoff disappears

Many daily habits rely on tiny, repeatable payoffs. If a notification no longer feels rewarding, checking it can drop off after several unrewarded attempts.

Time and consistent non-reinforcement matter. The urge weakens across opportunities rather than vanishing instantly.

Conditioned taste aversion example: rebuilding tolerance through safe exposure

A food aversion often forms after nausea. Gradual, safe exposure — small tastes without illness — can reduce that aversive conditioned response over time.

We recommend pacing and safety: start small, track progress, and pair exposure with a calming routine. Replacing an old payoff with a healthier alternative helps the new pattern stick.

Translate lab steps to daily routines.
Remove the small rewards that keep a habit active.
Use gradual exposure to rebuild tolerance safely.

The extinction curve: what we typically see before behavior decreases

We track the typical pattern of responding after reinforcement stops and explain why decline usually unfolds across trials rather than all at once.

Why the drop is gradual, not instant

Learning history shapes expectations. If a response paid off for a long time, the organism keeps testing the old rule before it gives up.

This cautious persistence makes the process slow. Each unrewarded trial nudges the response downward, so change appears as a curved decline.

What behavior longer looks like when a response is well established

Well-practiced routines can persist across many opportunities. In real settings, a habit may continue for weeks before showing clear reduction.

We call this behavior longer because the past payoff made the action reliable. Strong histories mean more trials are needed to shift the result.

How frequency and intensity shift during the process

Frequency often falls while intensity sometimes spikes briefly. For example, counts may drop but single events become louder or more extreme.

Track progress with simple measures: count occurrences, time durations, or rate intensity on a short scale. That helps us see the true trend despite temporary rebounds.

Define the extinction curve: non-linear decline across time.
Expect persistence when history is strong; plan for more trials.
Measure frequency and intensity separately to capture real change.

Extinction burst, variability, and other “it got worse first” effects

We outline a short-lived escalation that often appears when reinforcement stops and the old pattern briefly spikes. This burst is a normal, predictable part of learning change.

Sudden surge before decline

An extinction burst describes a temporary rise in responses — more frequent attempts, higher intensity, or longer episodes — right after we remove the reward. The increase usually fades after repeated non-reinforced trials.

New strategies emerge

Extinction-induced variability means new behaviors show up as the person searches for another route to the same payoff. We often see novel attempts or shifted tactics before the original action drops.

Practical child-focused examples and tips

Common examples include a child’s tantrums that grow louder during planned ignoring, aggression that appears briefly, or unexpected classroom disruptions. If attention returns during the burst, the escalation gets reinforced.

Stay consistent: don’t give the old reward during the burst.
Reinforce alternatives: praise asking, waiting, or calm communication.
Track frequency and intensity to monitor real progress.

Effect	What to watch	Practical note
Burst	Spike in attempts	Ignore target, reinforce alternatives
Variability	New behaviors appear	Redirect and teach replacement skills
Outcome	Short-term worse, long-term decline	Consistency prevents accidental reinforcement

Spontaneous recovery and relapse: why an extinct response can return

After a pause, a once-quiet reaction can reappear suddenly, surprising caregivers and therapists alike. Spontaneous recovery explains how a previously reduced response can pop back after some time without any new reward.

Recovery over time

We see spontaneous recovery when a response resurfaces after days or weeks. Extinction often adds new learning rather than erasing the old trace, so older memory can reemerge with little provocation.

Context and place triggers

A change of context or place often brings back a prior behavior. Different rooms, routines, or people can make older cues feel relevant again and prompt the response.

Stress, fear, and anxiety effects

High stress or strong emotion can revive fear responses even after clear progress. Anxiety raises arousal and makes earlier threat-learning more available, so relapses cluster around tense moments.

View a brief return as a normal recovery event, not total failure.
Use booster exposures across settings to widen generalization.
Maintain consistency and avoid accidental reinforcement during a surprise return.

Trigger	Likely effect	Action
Passage of time	Spontaneous recovery of response	Schedule refresh sessions
New context/place	Behavior returns in different setting	Practice across locations
Stress or fear	Sudden relapse of anxiety-linked response	Use calming routines and safe exposures

Why some behaviors are harder to extinguish than others

Some patterns resist change because the original learning was irregular or intense. That history shapes how long a response stays active after we stop rewarding it.

Partial schedules and the persistence effect

Unpredictable payoffs teach organisms to keep trying. When rewards arrive only sometimes, the brain learns persistence. That makes decline slower and more frustrating when non-reinforcement begins.

Strength of prior conditioning

Longer training and bigger emotional stakes build stronger conditioned responses. Strong histories need more non-reinforced trials to shift behavior and often show greater early turbulence.

Habituation, attention, and exposure

Repeated, safe exposure can reduce attention to a cue and lower responsiveness. Habituation works alongside extinction-like change and helps explain why some signals lose power faster than others.

Individual differences: anxiety and children

Anxiety alters how quickly people update threat learning. Studies suggest some children habituate more slowly to sounds, slowing fear decline after exposures.

Plan for longer timelines when training was long or intermittent.
Use repeated exposure across settings to widen gains.
Expect more variability early and rely on consistent practice.

Factor	Effect	Practical step
Partial rewards	High persistence	Increase consistent non-reinforcement
Strong conditioning	Slower decline	Extend exposure trials
Anxiety	Slower habituation	Combine calming and exposure work

Extinction in therapy, school, and behavior programs today

We outline how repeated, safe exposures and consistent withholding of rewards reshape learned fear and disruptive acts. This approach guides exposure therapy, classroom plans, and applied behavior analysis.

Exposure therapy and fear reduction

Exposure uses repeated, planned contact with feared cues without harm. Over time the fear response declines and patients build confidence through new experience.

For PTSD-related learning, persistent fear often reflects hard-to-change conditioned responses. Targeted exposure helps update threat predictions and reduce reactive responding.

Classroom and ABA applications

Teachers and therapists use attention extinction by withholding attention for attention-maintained behavior. They use escape extinction by preventing escape when demands trigger avoidance.

Functional assessment guides the choice. If we misidentify the maintaining reward, the plan can fail and behaviors may worsen.

Safety, ethics, and team consistency

Extinction should not stand alone for dangerous acts. We plan safety measures and avoid withholding essential communication, especially for nonverbal individuals.

Consistent follow-through across caregivers and staff prevents intermittent reinforcement, which otherwise strengthens the behavior.

Assess function before applying non-reinforcement.
Pair extinction with teaching of replacement skills.
Document safety plans and align the team.

Setting	Common targets	Key precaution
Clinical exposure	Fear responses, avoidance	Ensure safety; use gradual steps
Classroom / ABA	Attention-maintained or escape-maintained behaviors	Confirm function; teach alternatives
PTSD care	Persistent conditioned fear	Use trauma-informed protocols; monitor reactions

Using extinction principles effectively without losing momentum

We outline a practical, stepwise approach to use extinction psychology without losing momentum.

First, identify the target behavior and the maintaining consequence. Then remove that reinforcement consistently while teaching and reinforcing a clear replacement behavior immediately.

Expect predictable spikes like extinction bursts and plan what we will do — and not do — during those moments. Tighten consistency across caregivers to avoid accidental intermittent reinforcement.

Track counts, duration, and context so we see the true process rather than react to single incidents. Schedule booster sessions to reduce spontaneous recovery and protect gains.

When fatigue or mixed messages happen, correct quickly and keep the plan. Success looks like durable change: fewer problem behaviors, better coping, and clearer goals for the responses we want to strengthen.

FAQ

What does extinction mean when a response is no longer reinforced?

We describe extinction as the decline in a learned response after the reward or outcome that previously maintained it stops occurring. The behavior does not vanish instantly; it weakens across trials when reinforcement is withheld.

How does time and repeated non-reinforcement weaken learned responses?

With repeated non-reinforcement, the organism updates expectations: the cue or action no longer predicts the outcome. As sessions or opportunities pass without reward, the response probability drops and the behavior gradually fades.

Why doesn’t extinction simply erase the original learning?

Extinction creates new inhibitory learning that suppresses the original association, rather than erasing it. That’s why the response can return through spontaneous recovery, context shifts, or stress—showing the original memory remains.

How do conditioned and unconditioned stimuli relate to the conditioned response?

In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus (like food) naturally elicits an unconditioned response (salivation). A neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus after pairing with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggering the conditioned response on its own.

How did Pavlov’s dog illustrate extinction with sound and food?

Pavlov paired a tone with food so dogs salivated to the tone. When tones continued without food, salivation decreased across trials. That fading response exemplifies extinction in a clear classical conditioning example.

How does extinction apply to fear conditioning when a cue no longer predicts threat?

In fear conditioning, a cue paired with a threat elicits defensive responses. If the cue repeatedly appears without the aversive event, defensive reactions decline as the organism learns the cue is safe—though relapse remains possible.

What happens when a rewarded behavior stops paying off in operant conditioning?

When reinforcement is removed, the operant behavior declines. Initially, the behavior may persist or even intensify (an extinction burst), then it decreases as the contingency no longer supports that action.

What did Skinner’s lever-press studies show about extinction curves?

Skinner documented that lever pressing decreases over time when food rewards stop. The extinction curve often shows an initial persistence or spike, followed by a gradual drop, illustrating the time course of decline.

How can planned ignoring reduce a child’s attention-seeking behavior?

If attention reinforces a tantrum, withholding social attention removes that reinforcement. After an extinction burst of more intense tantrums, the behavior usually diminishes when caregivers consistently ignore the attention-seeking actions and reinforce alternative behaviors.

How do discriminative or extinction stimuli alter responding?

Discriminative stimuli signal whether reinforcement is available, so a change in those cues can suppress or release behavior. An extinction stimulus indicates non-reinforcement and leads organisms to withhold the response in that context.

Why do habits fade when their rewards disappear?

Habits rely on repeated reinforcement. When the payoff stops—whether pleasure, attention, or outcome—the cues lose predictive value and the behavior decreases as the brain learns the habit no longer yields reward.

How does conditioned taste aversion recover through safe exposure?

Repeated safe exposures to a food that was once paired with illness let the organism relearn that the food is harmless. Gradual non-reinforced experiences reduce avoidance, a form of extinction through controlled re-exposure.

Why is extinction typically gradual rather than immediate?

Gradual decline reflects the organism’s attempt to test whether the contingency changed. Learning that a cue no longer predicts reward requires multiple non-reinforced trials to override prior reinforced history.

What does a well-established response look like during extinction?

Strongly established responses persist longer, show larger extinction bursts, and take more trials to decline. They may also reappear more readily after breaks or context changes than weaker responses.

How do frequency and intensity of past reinforcement affect extinction?

High-frequency or high-intensity reinforcement strengthens the original association and makes extinction slower. Intermittent reinforcement before extinction usually produces greater resistance to extinction than continuous reinforcement.

What is an extinction burst and why does it happen?

An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the rate or intensity of a behavior immediately after reinforcement stops. It occurs because the organism escalates efforts to obtain the expected outcome before it learns the contingency has changed.

What is extinction-induced variability and how does it show up?

When a previously effective response fails, organisms often try novel actions to contact reinforcement. This variability can yield alternative behaviors—some adaptive, others problematic—during behavior change.

Can extinction make behavior worse before it gets better in real life?

Yes. During extinction we often see intensified tantrums, aggression, or new problem behaviors as the person tests limits. Proper planning and consistent responses reduce risk and speed recovery.

How does spontaneous recovery cause an extinct response to reappear?

After a pause, the suppressed response can temporarily return without new reinforcement. Spontaneous recovery suggests the extinction memory competes with the original association rather than erasing it.

How do context shifts bring back old responses?

Extinction learning is context-dependent. A behavior that was suppressed in one setting can reemerge in a new place where extinction did not occur, because the original association regains influence outside the extinction context.

Why can stress or emotion trigger relapse of fear responses?

Stress and heightened emotion reduce inhibitory control and strengthen retrieval of older fear memories. Under stress, the original conditioned response can resurface despite prior extinction learning.

How does partial reinforcement make behaviors harder to extinguish?

Partial or intermittent reinforcement creates uncertainty about when rewards will appear, so organisms persist longer before giving up. This persistence, known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect, slows extinction.

How does longer or stronger conditioning affect resistance to extinction?

More repetitions and stronger reinforcers deepen the learned association, increasing resistance to extinction. Such behaviors require more non-reinforced trials for the inhibitory learning to take hold.

How do habituation and attention influence extinction processes?

Habituation reduces responsiveness to repeated stimuli, which can make extinction easier for some cues. Attention shapes what gets learned; low attention during extinction slows the formation of the new inhibitory memory.

Why do individual differences, like anxiety in children, slow fear extinction to sounds?

Traits such as high anxiety can enhance fear learning and impair extinction. Children with anxiety may generalize threat cues and show slower reductions in conditioned responses, requiring tailored exposure approaches.

How does exposure therapy use extinction principles for anxiety and PTSD?

Exposure therapy presents feared cues without harm so patients learn safety through repeated non-reinforced experiences. Therapy structures context, duration, and intensity to promote durable extinction of fear responses.

How do classroom and ABA programs apply extinction for attention-seeking or escape behaviors?

In classrooms and applied behavior analysis, practitioners remove the reinforcing consequence (attention or escape) while teaching and reinforcing alternative skills. Consistency and appropriate reinforcement for replacements are essential.

When might extinction alone be insufficient and what ethical concerns arise?

Extinction can provoke intense responses and may risk safety if problem behaviors escalate. We must ensure safety, use ethical reinforcement of alternatives, and combine extinction with other techniques when necessary.

How can we use extinction principles without losing momentum in behavior change?

We recommend clear goals, consistent non-reinforcement of the target behavior, immediate reinforcement of alternatives, planning for extinction bursts, and varying contexts to reduce relapse. Ongoing monitoring helps maintain progress.