Kind Extinction: A Procedural Variation on Traditional Extinction

Abstract Operant extinction has substantial evidence to support its effectiveness across a variety of populations and behaviors. However, procedures may be less-preferred by learners, caregivers, other community stakeholders, the staff implementing them. In current study, we evaluated “kind extinction” procedural modification, in which provided functionally arbitrary reinforcer form genuine positive regard validation, contingent on interfering behavior, while escape tangible extinction. The procedure produced large rapid decreases accompanying increases alternative was rated as acceptable caregivers staff. Implications for increasing social validity behavioral procedures, well contributing more kind compassionate future field applied behavior analysis are discussed.