{"id":524,"date":"2023-03-03T19:13:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/8-2-2-learn-it-processes-in-classical-conditioning-generalization-and-discrimination\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T19:46:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T19:46:40","slug":"8-2-2-learn-it-processes-in-classical-conditioning-generalization-and-discrimination","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/8-2-2-learn-it-processes-in-classical-conditioning-generalization-and-discrimination\/","title":{"raw":"Processes in Classical Conditioning: Learn It 2\u2014Generalization and Discrimination","rendered":"Processes in Classical Conditioning: Learn It 2\u2014Generalization and Discrimination"},"content":{"raw":"

Stimulus Discrimination and Generalization<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Once an association has been learned, the next question becomes: Which stimuli should trigger the response? <\/b><\/b><\/span>Two important classical conditioning processes\u2014stimulus discrimination<\/b><\/span> and stimulus generalization<\/b><\/span>\u2014help organisms decide when a learned response should<\/i> or should not<\/i> occur.<\/p>\r\n

These skills are essential for survival. Animals (including humans) must learn to respond only to cues that truly signal danger, food, safety, or important outcomes.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

stimulus discrimination<\/h3>\r\n

Stimulus discrimination<\/b><\/span> occurs when an organism learns to respond only<\/b><\/span> to the conditioned stimulus (CS) and not<\/b><\/span> to other similar stimuli. For example:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  • \r\n

    Pavlov\u2019s dogs<\/span> learned that the tone<\/span> predicted food but the doorbell<\/span> did not, so they salivated only to the tone.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t

  • \r\n

    Tiger the cat<\/span> learns the difference between the electric can opener<\/span> (CS = food coming) and the electric mixer<\/span> (no food).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

    \r\n

    stimulus generalization<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

    Stimulus generalization<\/b><\/span> happens when an organism responds to a new stimulus<\/b><\/span> that is similar to the conditioned stimulus\u2014even if it has never been paired with the UCS. Generalization is helpful when a learned response should apply broadly, not narrowly. For example:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    • \r\n

      If the electric mixer<\/span> sounds very<\/i> similar to the can opener<\/span>, Tiger may come running at both sounds\u2014until she learns the difference.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

      [ohm2_question height=\"900\"]4220[\/ohm2_question]
      \r\n[ohm2_question height=\"400\"]4221[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"

      Stimulus Discrimination and Generalization<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Once an association has been learned, the next question becomes: Which stimuli should trigger the response? <\/b><\/b><\/span>Two important classical conditioning processes\u2014stimulus discrimination<\/b><\/span> and stimulus generalization<\/b><\/span>\u2014help organisms decide when a learned response should<\/i> or should not<\/i> occur.<\/p>\n

      These skills are essential for survival. Animals (including humans) must learn to respond only to cues that truly signal danger, food, safety, or important outcomes.<\/p>\n

      \n

      stimulus discrimination<\/h3>\n

      Stimulus discrimination<\/b><\/span> occurs when an organism learns to respond only<\/b><\/span> to the conditioned stimulus (CS) and not<\/b><\/span> to other similar stimuli. For example:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Pavlov\u2019s dogs<\/span> learned that the tone<\/span> predicted food but the doorbell<\/span> did not, so they salivated only to the tone.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Tiger the cat<\/span> learns the difference between the electric can opener<\/span> (CS = food coming) and the electric mixer<\/span> (no food).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n

        \n

        stimulus generalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Stimulus generalization<\/b><\/span> happens when an organism responds to a new stimulus<\/b><\/span> that is similar to the conditioned stimulus\u2014even if it has never been paired with the UCS. Generalization is helpful when a learned response should apply broadly, not narrowly. For example:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          If the electric mixer<\/span> sounds very<\/i> similar to the can opener<\/span>, Tiger may come running at both sounds\u2014until she learns the difference.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n