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Experimental Extinction for Dummies

noun


What does Experimental Extinction really mean?

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Hey there! So, let's talk about "experimental extinction." I know that it might sound a little complicated, but I'll break it down for you using simple words.

So, when we say "experimental extinction," we're actually talking about a process where scientists conduct experiments to see what happens when a certain behavior or response is no longer reinforced or encouraged. In other words, they want to see what happens when a behavior stops getting a specific outcome or reward.

Imagine you have a plant that you've been watering every day, and then suddenly you stop giving it water. What do you think will happen to the plant? It might start wilting and eventually stop growing, right? That's kind of what happens during experimental extinction.

Now, there are different reasons why scientists might want to study experimental extinction. One reason could be to understand how certain behaviors or responses are learned and maintained. By watching what happens when the reinforcement for a behavior is removed, scientists can learn more about how behaviors are influenced by their consequences.

Another reason for studying experimental extinction is to see if certain behaviors can be unlearned or changed. For example, if someone has a habit of biting their nails, researchers might use experimental extinction to see if they can help the person stop that habit by removing the reinforcement for it.

So, in a nutshell, experimental extinction is a process where scientists study what happens when a behavior is no longer reinforced, and it helps us understand how behaviors are learned and maintained, and whether they can be changed. I hope that makes sense! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Revised and Fact checked by Megan Brown on 2023-12-09 10:14:38

Experimental Extinction In a sentece

Learn how to use Experimental Extinction inside a sentece

  • When a scientist wants to study the effects of not giving a dog any attention, they might use experimental extinction by ignoring the dog completely for a period of time.
  • If a parent wants to stop their child from throwing tantrums, they might use experimental extinction by not giving in to the tantrums and eventually the child learns that throwing tantrums won't get them what they want.
  • In a classroom, a teacher might use experimental extinction by ignoring a student's disruptive behavior in order to discourage them from continuing the behavior.
  • A zookeeper might use experimental extinction to discourage certain behaviors in animals, such as not rewarding them with food when they engage in unwanted behaviors.
  • A therapist might use experimental extinction to help someone overcome a fear or phobia by exposing them to the feared object or situation without any negative consequences.

Experimental Extinction Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Experimental Extinction Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.