What is the effect of extinction on behavior?

The correct answer highlights that extinction leads to a decrease in behavior by removing the reinforcement that previously maintained that behavior. In behavioral psychology, extinction occurs when a desired behavior that has been previously rewarded is no longer reinforced, leading individuals to gradually stop exhibiting that behavior over time.

For instance, if a student consistently receives praise for raising their hand to contribute in class but then stops receiving that praise, they may become less inclined to raise their hand in the future. The lack of reinforcement (in this case, the praise) diminishes the likelihood of the previously reinforced behavior continuing.

This process may initially cause an increase in the behavior due to frustration or confusion as the individual may try harder to regain the previously experienced reinforcement. However, over time, without the reinforcement, the behavior will decline.

While the other options reference various aspects of behavior modification, they do not capture the essence of extinction's effect on behavior as accurately as the correct answer does. Reinforcement typically refers to a process that strengthens behavior, whereas the creation of a new behavior is not directly tied to the concept of extinction.