In classical conditioning, what is the term for the tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus?

In classical conditioning, what is the term for the tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus?

• A. Generalization
• B. Discrimination
• C. Extinction
• D. Acquisition

Answer: (A)

Generalization is the tendency to respond to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus. After a neutral stimulus comes to predict an unconditioned event, the learned response can transfer to other cues that are similar. For example, if a dog learns to salivate to a specific bell, it may also salivate to bells of slightly different tones or other similar sounds. The response typically weakens as similarity drops, creating a gradient of generalization. Discrimination would be the opposite—responding only to the exact conditioned cue and not to similar ones. Extinction is when the response fades after the CS is shown without the US, and acquisition is the initial learning of the CS–US association.

Generalization is the tendency to respond to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus. After a neutral stimulus comes to predict an unconditioned event, the learned response can transfer to other cues that are similar. For example, if a dog learns to salivate to a specific bell, it may also salivate to bells of slightly different tones or other similar sounds. The response typically weakens as similarity drops, creating a gradient of generalization. Discrimination would be the opposite—responding only to the exact conditioned cue and not to similar ones. Extinction is when the response fades after the CS is shown without the US, and acquisition is the initial learning of the CS–US association.