(1) In behavioural psychology, the lessening of a conditioned re?ex that occurs when it is not regularly reinforced. An example is in the treatment of unsatisfactory behaviour such as violence, when by preventing the individual from enjoying the rewards of violent acts – namely, the attention he or she attracts – the conditioned re?ex that is part of the cycle of violence is reduced in strength.
(2) Elimination of life or of a biological species.
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