What is the definition of extinction in behavioral therapy?

In behavioral therapy, extinction refers specifically to the process of eliminating a behavior by no longer reinforcing it. When a behavior is regularly reinforced, it tends to continue or even strengthen over time. However, when that reinforcement is removed, the individual is less likely to engage in the behavior again, as there is no longer any incentive or reward for doing so. This principle is utilized in various therapeutic settings to decrease unwanted behaviors by simply withholding the consequences that maintain them.

For instance, if a child throws a tantrum to receive attention from parents, and the parents stop acknowledging the tantrum, the child is less likely to continue that behavior over time. The removal of reinforcement (in this case, attention) leads to a decrease in the occurrence of the tantrum, which is the essence of extinction in behavioral therapy.