extinction

extinction
1. In behavior modification or classical or operant conditioning, a progressive decrease in the frequency of a response that is not positively reinforced; the withdrawal of reinforcers known to maintain an undesirable behavior. See conditioning. 2. SYN: absorbance. [L. extinguo, to quench]
- specific e. SYN: specific absorption coefficient.
- visual e. SYN: pseudo-hemianopia.

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ex·tinc·tion ik-'stiŋ(k)-shən n
1) the process of becoming extinct <the \extinction of a species> also the condition or fact of being extinct
2) the process of eliminating or reducing a conditioned response by not reinforcing it

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n.
(in psychology) the weakening of a conditioned reflex that takes place if it is not maintained by reinforcement. This is used as a method of treatment when undesirable behaviour (e.g. destructiveness) is reduced simply by withdrawing whatever rewards it (e.g. the fuss made by other people).

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ex·tinc·tion (ek-stinkґshən) in psychology, the disappearance or reduction in frequency of a conditioned response as a result of nonreinforcement; also, the process by which the disappearance is accomplished.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • extinction — [ ɛkstɛ̃ksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1374; lat. exstinctio, de exstinguere « éteindre » 1 ♦ Action d éteindre. L extinction d un feu, d un incendie. Extinction des feux, des lumières : moment où toutes les lumières doivent être éteintes. Clairon qui sonne l… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • extinction — Extinction. s. f. Action par laquelle on esteint. Extinction d un embrasement. on adjugea cette ferme, cette terre à l extinction de la chandelle. On dit aussi, l Extinction de la chaleur naturelle. On dit aussi fig. L extinction d un crime. l… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Extinction — Ex*tinc tion, n. [L. extinctio, exstinction: cf. F. extinction.] 1. The act of extinguishing or making extinct; a putting an end to; the act of putting out or destroying light, fire, life, activity, influence, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. State of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Extinction — (v. lat.), so v.w. Exstinction …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • extinction — index aberemurder, abolition, ademption, cancellation, catastrophe, death, demise (death), destruction …   Law dictionary

  • extinction — EXTINCTION: Ne s emploie qu avec paupérisme …   Dictionnaire des idées reçues

  • extinction — early 15c., from L. extinctionem/exstinctionem (nom. extinctio/exstinctio), noun of action from pp. stem of extinguere/exstinguere (see EXTINGUISH (Cf. extinguish)). Originally of fires, lights; figurative use, of wiping out a material thing (a… …   Etymology dictionary

  • extinction — see under extinguish at ABOLISH …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • extinction — [n] dying out annihilation, death, destruction, elimination, end of life, no life, obsolescence, thing of the past*; concept 252 …   New thesaurus

  • extinction — ► NOUN ▪ the state or process of being or becoming extinct …   English terms dictionary

  • extinction — [ek stiŋk′shən, ikstiŋk′shən] n. [ME extinccioun < L exstinctio < exstinctus: see EXTINCT] 1. a putting out or being put out, as of a fire 2. a destroying or being destroyed; annihilation; abolition 3. the fact or state of being or becoming …   English World dictionary

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