reinstatement following extinction

the return of a response to an extinguished conditioned stimulus due to exposure to an unconditioned stimulus. For example, a person who gets a headache from using earbuds may develop an aversion to using them. This aversion may become extinguished after the person tries using earbuds again a few times without getting a headache. However, if the person then gets a headache (for any reason), the aversive response to using earbuds may return (or be reinstated).

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Psychology term of the day

October 9th 2024

Schröder staircase

an ambiguous figure of a staircase, which can be perceived as seen either from above or from underneath the stairs, depending on the perspective of the observer. It is often confused with the staircase illusion. [Heinrich Schröder (1810–1885), German bacteriologist and educator]