What is spontaneous recovery?

Spontaneous recovery refers to the phenomenon in classical conditioning where a previously extinguished conditioned response re-emerges after a period of rest or a break. This occurs even when the conditioned stimulus is presented again without reinforcement. After extinction—when the conditioned response diminishes due to the removal of the unconditioned stimulus—the conditioned response may reappear, highlighting that the learning is not completely forgotten but rather is suppressed. This concept emphasizes the resilience of learned behavior and shows that time can play a role in the reappearance of conditioned responses, providing insights into how memory and learning processes can function even after a break.