Abstract

To explain Pavlovian extinction, it has been proposed that the extinction context acts as a conditioned inhibitor, contributing to relapses. Two experiments using rats in an appetitive conditioning task evaluated the inhibitory potential of the extinction context and its retrospective revaluation. In Experiment 1, subjects learned an association in Context A, that was then extinguished in Context B. Subsequently, the exciter was extinguished in a third context to reevaluate the inhibitory potential of Context B. Finally, summation and retardation tests were carried to measure the inhibition of Context B. Experiment 2 increased the number of Acquisition and Extinction trials to strengthen inhibitory training. Results of both experiments show that the extinction context did not act as a conditioned inhibitor. Our data contrasts with findings in aversive conditioning.