Spontaneous Recovery

Definition

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a pause, demonstrating that learning can persist even when a response seems to have faded. This phenomenon suggests that the learned associations are not entirely lost but may lie dormant, ready to resurface under certain conditions. It highlights the complexity of the learning process and indicates that extinction does not erase prior conditioning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Spontaneous recovery typically occurs after a period of time following extinction, indicating that the original conditioning is still present in some form.
2. The re-emergence of the conditioned response during spontaneous recovery is often weaker than when it was first conditioned.
3. Spontaneous recovery can happen multiple times, as conditioned responses can reappear after various intervals of no exposure to the conditioned stimulus.
4. This phenomenon illustrates that learning is not simply forgotten but instead may become less accessible under certain circumstances.
5. The concept of spontaneous recovery emphasizes the dynamic nature of memory and learning processes, indicating that they are not linear and can fluctuate over time.

Review Questions

• How does spontaneous recovery demonstrate the resilience of learned behaviors after extinction?
  • Spontaneous recovery shows that learned behaviors can endure even after they appear to have been extinguished. When a conditioned response reappears after a rest period, it indicates that the underlying association has not been completely erased but remains latent. This resilience highlights how experiences shape behavior, even when those behaviors seem to have diminished or disappeared.
• What factors influence the strength of a conditioned response during spontaneous recovery?
  • The strength of a conditioned response during spontaneous recovery can be influenced by various factors, including the length of the extinction phase and the time interval before the spontaneous recovery occurs. Generally, shorter extinction periods or shorter intervals between extinction and the test for spontaneous recovery can lead to stronger responses. Additionally, prior experience with the conditioned stimulus can also affect how robustly the response returns.
• Evaluate how understanding spontaneous recovery can inform therapeutic practices for behavior modification.
  • Understanding spontaneous recovery is crucial in therapeutic settings, particularly in behavior modification strategies like exposure therapy. Therapists must recognize that previously extinguished fears or responses might resurface unexpectedly, requiring ongoing reinforcement and support to ensure lasting change. This knowledge helps in developing long-term treatment plans that address potential relapses and reinforces positive behaviors, ultimately promoting more effective outcomes in therapy.

Related terms

Conditioned Response: A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction: The process through which a conditioned response diminishes and eventually disappears after repeated presentations of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.

Classical Conditioning: A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, resulting in a learned response.