Extinction should always be combined with which practice?

The practice of extinction involves the discontinuation of reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, which leads to a decrease in that behavior over time. However, for extinction to be effective and beneficial in a learning context, it should be combined with reinforcement strategies.

Using reinforcement alongside extinction helps to guide the individual toward more appropriate behaviors. For instance, while an undesired behavior is being extinguished, reinforcing alternative, desired behaviors encourages the individual to engage in those instead. This dual approach enhances learning by not only reducing the unwanted behavior but also promoting positive alternatives that fulfill the individual’s needs in a more appropriate way.

In contrast, the other options do not effectively encompass the supportive practices needed when employing extinction. Isolation, punishment, and withholding attention may not provide constructive pathways for learning new behaviors, and may even lead to increased frustration or confusion for the individual, complicating the overall intervention process. Thus, combining extinction with reinforcement maximizes the potential for positive behavior change and learning.