DFG Research Unit 1581
Approach – The Renewal Effect
Extinction is not simply the deletion of an acquired excitatory association but most likely, the acquisition of a second association inhibiting the former learned behavior.
This view of extinction as a form of inhibitory learning and new learning is supported by experimental data impressively demonstrating that a change of context after extinction causes a return of conditioned responses (CRs) to the conditioned stimulus (CS):
The “Renewal Effect”
The renewal-effect points to the importance of contextual cues that are able to modulate extinction. These contextual cues can either be external physical stimuli or internal cues such as hormones, immune factors, or emotions. Even the passage of time can be a valid and potent contextual factor.
The importance of context cues during extinction makes it likely that the initial acquisition is rather context-independent, while extinction is context-dependent (Bouton & King, 1983; Rosas & Bouton, 1997), indicating that acquisition and extinction are organized by different neural systems (Herry et al., 2008; Quirk and Mueller, 2008).
The most complete understanding of the neural basis of extinction learning is in the fear system of rodents (Quirk & Mueller 2008). We therefore review these insights to then develop our view of extinction learning in other systems.
Don't forget...
