Stimulus generalization and operant context renewal

Context renewal is the relapse of an extinguished response due to changing the stimulus context following extinction. Reinforcing operant responding in Context A and extinguishing in Context B results in relapse when either returning to Context A (ABA renewal) or introducing a novel Context C (ABC renewal). ABA renewal typically is greater than ABC renewal. The present study assessed whether renewal might be conceptualized through excitatory and inhibitory generalization gradients inferred from studies of stimulus generalization. We arranged one keylight-color alternation frequency for pigeons to signal reinforcement in Phase 1 and a different alternation frequency to signal extinction in Phase 2. During a subsequent test in extinction, we presented a range of keylight-alternation frequencies and found renewal to be a function of keylight-alternation frequency. Specifically, Phase-3 responding increased as keylight-alternation frequency differed from that arranged during extinction in Phase 2. Moreover, we observed a shift in the function beyond the originally reinforced keylight-alternation frequency arranged in training (i.e., peak shift). We discuss the relevance of these findings for conceptualizing stimulus-control processes governing generalization gradients for understanding the processes underlying context renewal.