STIMULUS GENERALIZATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Stimulus generalization refers to a psychological phenomenon wherein an individual responds to a stimulus in a similar manner to another stimulus that shares certain common characteristics. It is a process by which an acquired response to one stimulus is generalized to a range of other similar stimuli. In other words, stimulus generalization occurs when an individual responds to a new or unfamiliar stimulus in a manner that is similar to the response elicited by a previously learned stimulus.
This phenomenon is closely related to the concept of classical conditioning, where an individual learns to associate a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus, resulting in the conditioned response. During stimulus generalization, the individual exhibits the conditioned response not only to the original conditioned stimulus but also to stimuli that share similarities with it.
The extent to which stimulus generalization occurs depends on the degree of similarity between the original conditioned stimulus and the new stimulus. If the new stimulus closely resembles the original stimulus, the individual is more likely to generalize the response. However, as the new stimulus becomes less similar, the likelihood of generalization decreases.
Stimulus generalization plays a significant role in various aspects of psychology, including learning, memory, and emotional responses. It helps individuals adapt and respond efficiently to new situations by generalizing their learned responses. Understanding stimulus generalization can aid in analyzing the effects of conditioning and predicting behavior in various contexts, such as therapy, marketing, and educational settings.
Common Misspellings for STIMULUS GENERALIZATIONS
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Etymology of STIMULUS GENERALIZATIONS
The word "stimulus" comes from the Latin "stimulus", meaning a goad or spur. In psychology, it refers to an external event or circumstance that elicits a response.
The word "generalization" comes from the Latin "generalis", meaning general or universal. In psychology, it refers to the process of responding in a similar way to different but similar stimuli.
Therefore, the term "stimulus generalization" in psychology means the tendency to respond to similar stimuli in the same way as the original stimulus.
