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Medical Dictionary

extinction

Pronunciation (eks-tingk′shŭn)
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  1. In behavior modification or in 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 Syn: absorbance

[L. extinguo, to quench]

WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"

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