An　interesting　phenomenon　is　often　observed　in　realistic　systems.　In　the　process　of　games,　if　the　expected　payoff　from　game　interactions　is　not　achieved,　players　would　refuse　to　participate　in　the　games.　Inspired　by　this　fact,　we　propose　an　aspiration-induced　dormant　mechanism,　in　which　players　quit　the　games　and　become　dormant　if　their　payoffs　are　less　than　the　aspiration　level.　After　a　dormant　period,　they　continue　to　play　the　game　with　others.　Our　results　indicate　an　intermediate　aspiration　value,　leading　to　the　highest　cooperation　level　in　the　spatial　prisoner＇s　dilemma　games.　The　effects　of　the　dormant　period　are　also　studied.　©　2016　Elsevier　B.V.