Which phenomenon occurs when a previously extinguished behavior reappears after a period without exposure?

• A. Extinction
• B. Spontaneous Recovery
• C. Jackpot
• D. Proofing

Answer: (B)

Spontaneous Recovery describes when a behavior that was extinguished reappears after a period without exposure to the cue or reinforcer. Extinction reduces responding by withholding reinforcement, but it doesn’t erase the original learning. After some time, the inhibitory control weakens, and the previously learned response can surface again briefly when the cue is encountered. The comeback is usually weaker than before and may fade again with continued nonreinforcement, but it shows the original association is still latent rather than completely erased. For example, a dog that stopped sitting in response to a cue after extinction may sit again if you present the cue after a break. This phenomenon differs from extinction itself, and terms like jackpot or proofing describe other training ideas rather than this spontaneous return.