What term describes when a previously extinguished behavior occurs again in the future?

The term that describes when a previously extinguished behavior occurs again in the future is known as spontaneous recovery. This phenomenon is observed in behavioral psychology when a behavior that has been conditioned and then extinguished reappears after a period of rest or without any further reinforcement.

Spontaneous recovery highlights the idea that learning is often not completely erased; rather, it can resurface under certain conditions. For example, if a dog has learned to stop barking when a bell rings (extinction of the barking behavior), but after a period of time without any training, the dog might unexpectedly bark when the bell rings again, demonstrating spontaneous recovery of the previously extinguished behavior.

Understanding this concept is crucial in the study of behavior analysis, as it suggests that behaviors can return even after they are thought to be eliminated, which can impact strategies for behavior modification and therapy.