What is spontaneous recovery?

Spontaneous recovery refers to the phenomenon in classical conditioning where a previously extinguished conditioned response reemerges after a period of rest without further conditioning. After a conditioned response has been extinguished through repeated presentations of the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus, a break or pause may lead to the response reappearing when the conditioned stimulus is presented again. This reappearance demonstrates that the original learning has not been completely lost; rather, it can resurface after a period of time, indicating that memories and learned associations have lasting effects even after they seem to have faded away.

This phenomenon highlights the complex nature of learning and memory, suggesting that extinction does not erase the learning that occurred but rather inhibits the response. This is a significant concept in behavioral psychology, illustrating how past experiences can influence current behavior, even after conditioning seems to have been undone.