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Extinction-Induced Resurgence: Preliminary Investigations And Possible Applications

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Abstract

When recently reinforced behavior is no longer effective, previously reinforced behavior often recurs. Though the phenomenon has been described from time to time in both the experimental and clinical literatures, it has never been stringently investigated. Its robustness is suggested, however, by both formal and informal observations of humans and other animals. Applications in both theoretical and practical domains are suggested, among them problem solving, schedules of reinforcement, foraging theory, and psychotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northeastern University, USA

    Robert Epstein

  2. Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, 11 Ware Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Robert Epstein

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  1. Robert Epstein
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Preparation of the paper was supported in part by NIH Grant MH32628 to the Foundation for Research on the Nervous System and by a Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research.

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Epstein, R. Extinction-Induced Resurgence: Preliminary Investigations And Possible Applications. Psychol Rec 35, 143–153 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394918

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