What can occur after extinction, leading to the re-emergence of an old behavior?

Spontaneous recovery is a phenomenon that can occur following extinction, which is the process of diminishing a learned behavior by removing the reinforcement that supports it. After a period of time has passed without the reinforcement, the previously extinguished behavior may reappear without any additional training. This occurrence suggests that the behavior was not completely forgotten and can resurface under certain conditions.

This characteristic of spontaneous recovery is significant in the context of learning and behavior modification because it highlights the stability and persistence of learned behaviors. Trainers and behaviorists must be aware of this phenomenon to properly manage and address the potential return of undesirable behaviors after the primary reinforcers have been removed. Understanding spontaneous recovery also emphasizes the importance of implementing consistent training and reinforcement techniques to ensure long-lasting changes in behavior.