AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is the process by which a conditioned response is triggered by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus?

1. Stimulus differentiation

2. Stimulus generalization

3. Operant conditioning

4. Classical conditioning

The correct answer is: Stimulus generalization

The correct answer is stimulus generalization. This process occurs when a conditioned response that has been learned in response to a specific conditioned stimulus is elicited by stimuli that are similar to that original stimulus. For example, if a dog is trained to salivate at the sound of a specific bell, it may also salivate at the sound of bells that are similar in tone or pitch, even if they are not exactly the same. Stimulus generalization is a key concept in classical conditioning, highlighting how organisms can respond to a range of stimuli that share characteristics with the conditioned stimulus, rather than being limited to the exact stimulus that was used in training. This phenomenon illustrates the adaptability of learning and how behaviors can be generalized to similar situations, which can reinforce survival and response strategies in various environments. Other concepts mentioned, such as stimulus differentiation, involve the ability to distinguish between different stimuli rather than responding to similar ones, while operant conditioning and classical conditioning are types of learning processes that describe different mechanisms of behavior modification and response.