Generalization

Generality

Stimulus Generalization

Response Generalization

Maintenance

Stimulus Generalization

1. Behavior occurs in a new situation because it was trained in a similar one.

2. Generalization is easier when stimuli look alike (e.g., stop signs in different languages).

3. Generalization happens within a similar group of stimuli (e.g., your car to a rental car).

4. Generalization also occurs among related but different stimuli (stimulus equivalence class).

Response generalization

A behaviour becomes more likely to occur from an untrained stimulus (situation) as a result of training to a similar stimulus (situation).

Response class

Different responses produce the same consequences - functionally equivalent (e.g., start a fire with a match, with a lighter, using existing fire to ignite a stick, striking a flint - responses all produce fire)

Behavioural momentum

Increase in the probability of other responses that are functionally equivalent as a result of reinforcing a particular response.

Problem: non-compliance in child - first give instruction that child is likely to comply with followed by reinforcement, then give instruction that child is less likely to follow

Factors influencing the effectiveness of programming generality

1. Train behaviour in target situation

2. Vary training conditions

3. Program control stimuli

4. Train sufficient stimulus exemplars

4 Approaches of programming operant behaviour maintenance

1. Behavioural trapping

2. Change the behaviour of people in the natural environment

3. Use intermittent schedules of reinforcement in target situations

4. Give control to the individual

Programming Generality of respondent behaviour

In case of phobia, would not want to extinguish fear to a specific CS, would want to extinguish fear to many stimuli

Pitfalls of generality

1. Learned behaviour appropriate in some situations, not others

2. Undesirable behaviour generalizes from one situation where it was developed to a new situation

3. Lack of desirable stimulus generalization