Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Which learning theory includes concepts such as extinction and spontaneous recovery?

1. Operant conditioning

2. Classical conditioning

3. Social learning

4. Observational learning

The correct answer is: Classical conditioning

The concepts of extinction and spontaneous recovery are foundational elements of classical conditioning, which was developed by Ivan Pavlov. In classical conditioning, extinction refers to the process through which a conditioned response (such as salivating at the sound of a bell) diminishes when the conditioned stimulus (the bell) is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (the food) over time. This leads to a weakening of the association between the stimuli. Spontaneous recovery is the phenomenon where, after a period of extinction, a previously conditioned response can suddenly reappear when the conditioned stimulus is presented again. This indicates that the learned association was not entirely forgotten, demonstrating the enduring nature of the learned behaviors associated with classical conditioning. These concepts are distinct to classical conditioning, while the other learning theories mentioned—such as operant conditioning (which focuses on reinforcement and punishment), social learning (which emphasizes learning through observation), and observational learning (which involves learning behaviors by watching others)—do not incorporate extinction and spontaneous recovery in the same way that classical conditioning does.