Relapse processes after the extinction of instrumental learning: Renewal, resurgence, and reacquisition

It is widely recognized that extinction (the procedure in which a Pavlovian conditioned stimulus or an instrumental action is repeatedly presented without its reinforcer) weakens behavior without erasing the original learning. Most of the experiments that support this claim have focused on several “relapse” effects that occur after Pavlovian extinction, which collectively suggest that the original learning is saved through extinction. However, although such effects do occur after instrumental extinction, they have not been explored there in as much detail. This article reviews recent research in our laboratory that has investigated three relapse effects that occur after the extinction of instrumental (operant) learning. In renewal, responding returns after extinction when the behavior is tested in a different context; in resurgence, responding recovers when a second response that has been reinforced during extinction of the first is itself put on extinction; and in rapid reacquisition, extinguished responding returns rapidly when the response is reinforced again. The results provide new insights into extinction and relapse, and are consistent with principles that have been developed to explain extinction and relapse as they occur after Pavlovian conditioning. Extinction of instrumental learning, like Pavlovian learning, involves new learning that is relatively dependent on the context for expression.

► Extinction of instrumental learning does not involve erasure; behavior is subject to relapse.
► Extinguished instrumental behaviors are renewed when they are tested in a new context.
► Extinguished instrumental behaviors resurge, after replacement by a second reinforced behavior, when the second behavior is extinguished.
► Extinguished instrumental behaviors can be reacquired rapidly.
► All such effects are consistent with a contextual analysis of extinction that has been developed in studies of Pavlovian extinction.