What happens to a behavior that is put on extinction?

When a behavior is placed on extinction, it means that reinforcement, which previously maintained that behavior, is no longer provided. As a result, the behavior typically decreases over time. This decline occurs because the individual learns that the behavior no longer results in the desired outcome or reward, leading to a gradual reduction in the frequency or intensity of the behavior.

In the context of behavior analysis, extinction is used to weaken or eliminate responses that are no longer reinforced. This process often involves initial resistance or an increase in that behavior before it starts to decline, a phenomenon known as an extinction burst. Over time, consistent lack of reinforcement leads to decreased occurrence of the behavior as individuals adapt to the new circumstances.

Other options do not accurately describe what occurs during extinction. The idea that a behavior can never be displayed again is inaccurate since, although weakened, it may still reappear under certain conditions. Suggesting that it is followed by reinforcement contradicts the definition of extinction, and stating that it is automatically reinforced by the environment misrepresents the lack of reinforcement intrinsic to the extinction process itself.