Stimulus Generalization Definition Psychology Example
Stimulus generalization is when an organism responds to a new stimulus in the same way as a previously encountered stimulus based on similarity of the stimuli and the organism s history of reinforcement with the previous stimulus.
Stimulus generalization definition psychology example. Potty training is a good example of stimulus generalization in operant conditioning. When a child is learning to use the toilet rewards are often used to increase the desired behaviors. Watson and his assistant rosalie rayner conditioned a little boy to fear a white rat.
For example imagine a very young boy encountering different breeds of dogs for the first time. For example if a child has been conditioned to fear a stuffed white rabbit it will exhibit a fear of objects similar to the conditioned stimulus such as a white toy rat. When he sees a.
In the little albert experiment the behaviorist john b.