Which term describes the phenomenon where previously reinforced behaviors are no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior?

The correct term for the phenomenon where previously reinforced behaviors are no longer reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior, is known as extinction. In the context of operant conditioning, when a behavior that has been previously reinforced is no longer reinforced, the frequency of that behavior typically diminishes over time.

The term "resistance to extinction" refers to how some behaviors can persist for longer even after reinforcement has been removed. This suggests that certain factors such as the history of reinforcement or the type of reinforcement used can influence how easily a behavior can be extinguished.

Understanding the concept of extinction is crucial; it highlights the importance of reinforcement in maintaining behaviors and how their absence can lead to behavioral changes. This illustrates the dynamic nature of learning and the intricacies of behavior modification.