What is one risk of using extinction alone to treat a problem behavior?

Utilizing extinction as a treatment for problem behavior entails eliminating the reinforcement that maintains that behavior. One significant risk of employing extinction in isolation is that it may result in increased frustration for both the individual experiencing the problem behavior and potentially for those intervening. This frustration arises because when the reinforcement is removed, individuals may escalate their problem behavior in an effort to regain access to the previously reinforcing outcome, leading to what is commonly referred to as an "extinction burst."

Additionally, when extinction is not part of a broader behavioral strategy, there is a risk of inadvertently reinforcing alternative behaviors that may not be desirable. For instance, if the individual seeks attention through problem behavior and receives attention for engaging in a different but less preferred behavior when the original behavior is no longer effective, that alternative behavior could inadvertently become reinforced.

Combining extinction with other strategies, such as teaching replacement behaviors or implementing differential reinforcement, can mitigate these risks. By addressing the root causes of the problem behavior and promoting positive behaviors, practitioners can create a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan.