After a hurricane warning came across the television, young Eli became terrified of the alarm sound that signaled a severe weather warning. Over the next few months he heard it several times when the "required monthly tests" came on the television, and his fear faded away. One day the alarm sounded and Eli jumped up and ran out of the room. This return of a previously extinguished response is called ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a period without exposure to the conditioned stimulus. In this case, Eli's fear response to the alarm sound had faded away but then suddenly reappeared, which is characteristic of spontaneous recovery.

After a Hurricane Warning Came Across the Television, Young Eli