An animal is trained with a standard Pavlovian conditioning procedure. Then, during the extinction trials, the experimenter observes the results shown in the graph above. What conclusion can be drawn about the result that is circled on the graph?
Spontaneous recovery is occurring.
The observation of a response after a period of extinction trials indicates that the animal has displayed spontaneous recovery, which is a common phenomenon in Pavlovian conditioning. This suggests that even after extinction, a conditioned response can re-emerge when the conditioned stimulus is presented again.
This choice is correct because spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period following extinction. The experimenter's observation aligns with this phenomenon, indicating that the conditioned response has not been entirely forgotten and can resurface.
This choice is incorrect because the extinction procedure is not deemed a failure simply because a response reappears. It is expected that some level of spontaneous recovery might occur after extinction, which does not negate the effectiveness of the extinction training.
This option is not relevant to the observed results. Learned helplessness involves a different set of behaviors related to lack of control and does not directly relate to the spontaneous recovery of a conditioned response following extinction trials.
This choice is false because it suggests a fundamental change in the conditioned stimulus. Spontaneous recovery can happen with the same CS used in training; thus, the CS being different is unnecessary to explain the observed recovery of the response.
In summary, the observation of a conditioned response during the extinction trials indicates that spontaneous recovery has occurred, reflecting the enduring nature of learned associations. This phenomenon underscores the complexity of conditioning and extinction processes, where even after apparent unlearning, previously acquired behaviors can resurface under certain conditions.
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