Stimulus Generalization

Definition

Stimulus generalization involves transferring a learned response from one stimulus to another, similar stimulus. It's a type of learning where a new situation is perceived as identical to a previously encountered situation.

Analogy

Imagine you've been bitten by a large dog and developed fear (learned response). Later, you see a small dog but still feel scared. This is because your brain has generalized the "dog" stimulus, regardless of size.

Related terms

Stimulus Discrimination: The ability to differentiate between stimuli that are similar but not identical. For example, recognizing that not all dogs will bite just because one did.

Conditioned Stimulus: A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually triggers a conditioned response.

Neutral Stimulus: This is something that initially does not trigger any particular response until it becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus through conditioning.