Applied behavior analysis Definitions and concepts Extinction
 Extinction is a way to decrease rates of problem behavior. Sometimes a problem behavior will be reinforced by accident. In order to fix accidental reinforcement the behavior has to be put through extinction. A problem behavior can only go through extinction if it has been reinforced before. To put a behavior through extinction the person must stop getting the reinforcement they want when they do the problem behavior. The problem behavior will decrease because the person will learn that this behavior no longer gets them what they want.