spontaneous recovery

[ spon-tey-nee-uhs ri-kuhv-uh-ree ]

noun

1. Psychology. the unexpected revival of a conditioned response after its association with the stimulus has been erased: conditioning ( def 2 ).

   Spontaneous recovery was first demonstrated by Pavlov (1927) and has since been repeated in several studies.

spontaneous recovery

noun

1. psychol the reappearance of a response after its extinction has been followed by a period of rest

Word History and Origins

Origin of spontaneous recovery¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

They added that while it's lovely for people to be able to see them, it probably does not signify a spontaneous recovery of an extinct species.

From BBC

Syncope is the medical term for a transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery resulting from inadequate blood flow to the brain.

From Salon

Syncope is the medical term for a transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery resulting from inadequate blood flow to the brain.

From Salon

“With long-term postviral smell loss from the flu, after six months, there is a 30 to 50 percent chance of spontaneous recovery” without any treatment, she adds.

From Scientific American

Before she left for Genoa, Barts said although Tafida has suffered devastating brain damage they could not rule out a small spontaneous recovery in the months ahead.

From BBC