Delaying interference training has equivalent effects in various Pavlovian interference paradigms
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
Elizabeth J Powell1, Martha Escobar, Whitney Kimble
1Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5214, USA.
Abstract:
Spontaneous recovery in extinction appears to be inversely related to the acquisition-to-extinction interval, but it remains unclear why this is the case. Rat subjects trained with one of three interference paradigms exhibited less spontaneous recovery of the original response after delayed than immediate interference, regardless of whether interference resulted in attenuated fear (extinction, CS-Shock followed by CS-noShock), acquisition of conditioned fear (latent inhibition, CS-noShock followed by CS-Shock), or acquisition of a response (counterconditioning, CS-Shock followed by CS-Sucrose). We suggest that delaying interference treatment increases the relative similarity of the interference and test contexts, facilitating retrieval of the interfering association and attenuating recovery of the original response.
Related Concept Videos
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Principles of Classical Conditioning
During the...
Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
Interference and Decay
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
Real-World Application of Classical Conditioning
Higher-order, or second-order, conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an already established conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings. For instance, if a dog has been...

