Resurgence of negatively reinforced behavior in rats

Resurgence is an increase in a previously reinforced and subsequently extinguished target behavior following a worsening of conditions for a more recently reinforced alternative behavior. Despite extensive research on resurgence, there have been no demonstrations of the phenomenon with a negatively reinforced behavior in an animal model. This gap is notable because avoidance and escape behaviors are among the most prevalent functions of severe problem behavior in clinical settings. The present study provided the first demonstration of resurgence of a negatively reinforced behavior, specifically resurgence of avoidance, in an animal model. In Phase 1, target-lever presses of rats could avoid signaled shock. In Phase 2, the target lever was placed on extinction and signaled shock could then be avoided via an alternative lever. In Phase 3, both levers were placed on extinction while the warning signal and shock continued to occur. Resurgence was observed in all subjects with several rats exhibiting a persistent, robust effect. These findings establish an experimental animal model of resurgence of negatively reinforced behavior, extend basic research on relapse beyond positive reinforcement, and provide a foundation for evaluating strategies to mitigate resurgence of avoidance and escape in clinically relevant contexts.