Stimulus generalisation refers to ____________.

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The question asks: 'Stimulus generalisation refers to ____________.'

Note: The provided data does not include the list of answer options, only a single line indicating the correct choice is 'c. the tendency of stimuli similar to a conditioned stimulus (CS) to evoke similar, conditioned responses'. I will explain the concept and why that statement aligns with stimulus generalisation, and I will discuss what typically goes wrong when options describe other phenomena.

First, consider the core idea of stimulus generalisation in classical conditioning. After a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) by pairing with an unconditioned stimulus (US), organisms often respond not only to the exact CS but to other stimuli that resemble it. For example, if a dog learns to salivate to a bell (CS) because it predicts food (US), it may also salivate to bells of a similar tone or even close approximations in pitch. This spreading of the conditioned response (CR) to similar stimuli is what psychologists call stimulus generalisation. It reflects the brain’s tendency to treat similar cues as signaling the same outcome, thereby conserving learning without needing a new association for every slight variation.

Now, what might be entailed by other possible options (even though they aren’t provided here) and why they would typically be considered incorrect in the context of generalisation:
- If an option claimed that generalisation is about extinction or diminishing responses when the CS is no longer paired with the US, that would describe extinction, not generalisation. Generalisation concerns similarity of stimuli and the elicitation of CRs, not the decrease of responses over time.
- If an option suggested that generalisation only applies to emotional states or only to physiological reactions, that would be an overly narrow or inaccurate view. Generalisation can occur across a range of conditioned responses, including reflexive, automized, or emotional responses, provided similarity cues are involved.
- If an option stated that learning is completely specific to the exact CS with no transfer to similar stimuli, that would contradict the very definition of generalisation. Generalisation is all about transfer of the CR to similar stimuli, not strict one-to-one specificity.
- If an option claimed that generalisation happens only after a single trial or only in humans, those would be incorrect extensions. Generalisation can occur after multiple pairings and has been observed across many species, not limited to one trial count or to humans alone.

In short, the concept described by the stated correct option captures the essence of stimulus generalisation: responses to stimuli that resemble the CS tend to be elicited similarly, due to their shared features and predictive validity for the US. The idea emphasizes the broad applicability of learned associations to related cues, rather than strict discrimination or extinction dynamics.

MKTG205_S2 Quiz 4

Stimulus generalisation refers to ____________.

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