What is the main function of Escape Extinction?

The main function of Escape Extinction is to maintain aversive tasks despite problem behavior. Escape extinction involves the strategy of not allowing a learner to escape from an aversive situation or demand when they engage in problem behavior. This method is designed to reduce or eliminate the problem behavior over time by not reinforcing it; in other words, if a child attempts to escape an uncomfortable task by displaying challenging behavior and that behavior no longer results in escape, the child is more likely to eventually stop using that behavior as a strategy.

This approach does not reinforce behaviors that lead to escape, nor does it aim to eliminate all aversive stimuli entirely. Rather, it focuses on ensuring that the aversive task continues regardless of the behavior exhibited. Encouraging avoidance of tasks is also not a goal of escape extinction; instead, it aims to change the response to the task at hand by not giving in to avoidance behaviors. By maintaining the aversive task, the learner can learn that engaging in problem behaviors will not help them escape, thereby reducing the occurrence of those behaviors over time.