What does "extinction" in behavior modification refer to?

In behavior modification, "extinction" specifically refers to the process of ceasing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior. This means that if a behavior was previously followed by a reward or reinforcement, removing that reinforcement will ultimately lead to a decrease in the occurrence of that behavior over time. The theory behind extinction is grounded in the principles of operant conditioning, where behaviors are more likely to occur when they are followed by positive consequences. In this case, by no longer providing reinforcement, the motivation to engage in that behavior diminishes, leading to its reduction or elimination.

The other options do not accurately define extinction. Providing new rewards for good behavior relates to positive reinforcement rather than extinction. Introducing new behaviors is more aligned with behavior training or skill acquisition rather than extinction concepts. Increasing the frequency of a behavior doesn't pertain to extinction, which aims to reduce or eliminate a behavior rather than enhance it.