Question

extinction----When putting an extinction procedure into a client's behavior plan, a therapist has to consider side effects. Choose a hypothetical behavior, and discuss a possible extinction plan for that behavior, including which side effects you might expect and how you would plan for them.

Answer 1

A child uses abusive language with his parents and siblings. After understanding that the child is using abusing language to seek attention from the family members, it is advised by the therapist to ignore such behavior. It is observed that he child is reinforced to use abusive language when their family members are reacting to him. So, when he uses the abusive language, he is ignored and gradually extinction of the behavior happens.

There are two side effects of extinction. i. Extinction burst: Before the extinction happens there is a extinction burst, which means the abusive language worsens before the behavior gradually extincts. ii. Aggression: As the child is not given the reinforcement, the aggression of the child may increase. Side effects can be controlled when extinctions is used as part of a treatment program, and not the only form of treatment