What is extinction as motivation?
Extinction as motivation refers to a psychological concept where a behavior that was previously reinforced is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease or cessation of the behavior. In this context, extinction is used as a motivator to encourage individuals to stop engaging in a particular behavior by removing the positive consequences or rewards associated with it. By removing the reinforcement, the motivation to continue the behavior diminishes over time.
Extinction, in the context of motivation, refers to the reduction or elimination of a previously reinforced behavior. It occurs when a behavior that was previously reward driven or reinforced no longer receives the expected reward or reinforcement. As a result, the motivation to engage in that behavior decreases over time.
In the field of psychology, extinction is often studied in relation to operant conditioning. In this type of learning, behaviors are shaped by consequences, such as rewards or punishments. When a behavior is consistently followed by a reward, it becomes reinforced, and the motivation to engage in that behavior increases. However, if the reward is removed or withheld, the behavior is no longer reinforced and may eventually become extinct.
For example, if a person's motivation to study is driven by the reward of receiving good grades, but they suddenly stop receiving positive feedback or grades on their assignments, their motivation to study may decrease over time. Without the reinforcement of good grades, the behavior of studying becomes less likely to occur in the future.
Overall, extinction as motivation involves the decline or disappearance of a behavior due to the removal of previously encountered rewards or reinforcements.