What is the term used for the process of withdrawing positive or negative reinforcers to eliminate a behavior?

The correct term for the process of withdrawing positive or negative reinforcers to eliminate a behavior is extinction. In behavioral psychology, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time. This process highlights how behaviors can be learned and maintained through reinforcement and how they may diminish once those reinforcements are removed.

For instance, if a child throws a tantrum to get a toy and the parent consistently gives in and provides the toy, the behavior is reinforced. However, if the parent stops giving the toy in response to the tantrum, the child will eventually learn that the tantrum no longer results in the desired outcome, leading to a decrease in the tantrum behavior.

This differentiation showcases why extinction is an essential concept in understanding behavior modification and learning processes, particularly in settings like training or therapy, where the goal often involves reducing undesired behaviors through the removal of reinforcement.