What term describes the process of eliminating negative behaviors in behavior therapy?

The term that describes the process of eliminating negative behaviors in behavior therapy is extinction. In behavior therapy, extinction occurs when a behavior that previously resulted in a reinforcing outcome no longer receives reinforcement, leading to a decrease in the frequency of that behavior over time.

For example, if a child throws a tantrum to receive attention and that behavior is consistently ignored by parents (i.e., no attention is given), the tantrum is likely to diminish as the child learns that the behavior no longer yields the desired outcome. This process is fundamental in shaping and modifying behavior, as it helps to remove maladaptive behaviors by not rewarding them.

In contrast, reward systems and token economies involve providing positive reinforcement for desired behaviors rather than eliminating negative ones. Reinforcement focuses on encouraging specific behaviors rather than reducing or extinguishing unwanted actions, making extinction the most appropriate term to describe the process of eliminating negative behaviors specifically.