Ch 4 Vid 2 Generalization and Discrimination

Generalization

The process where a stimulus similar to a conditioned stimulus elicits a conditioned response.

Stimulus Generalization

Occurs when a stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus elicits a conditioned response.

Semantic Generalization

The tendency to condition to words with similar meanings.

Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between stimuli where one conditioned stimulus elicits a response and another similar stimulus does not.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Experimental Neurosis

A phenomenon observed when an animal can no longer discriminate between two stimuli that are too similar, leading to strange behaviors resembling anxiety.

Discrimination Training Paradigm

A method used to assess the sensory abilities of animals by training them to differentiate between excitatory and inhibitory stimuli.

Adaptive Value of Generalization

The benefit of being able to recognize similar stimuli in response to appetitive or aversive events.

Excitatory Conditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that signals that an appetitive event will occur, prompting a conditioned response.

Inhibitory Conditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that signals the absence of an appetitive event and thus does not elicit a conditioned response.