Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Unwanted behavior refers to any action or response that an individual engages in that is undesirable or considered inappropriate within a given context.
Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of the unwanted behavior occurring again, like giving your sibling extra chores for barging into your room.
The process of gradually eliminating unwanted behavior by no longer reinforcing it, like pretending not to notice when your sibling interrupts you until they stop doing it.