In an example reported in your text, a man was trapped behind a refrigerator and nearly suffocated. Subsequently, he has a phobia of tight, enclosed spaces and is afraid to ride on small, crowded elevators. However, he has no fear of large, uncrowded elevator rides. The man's fear of small elevators is an example of ______, and his lack of fear toward large elevators is an example of _______.
A)reconditioning; extinction
B)stimulus generalization; extinction
C)stimulus generalization; stimulus discrimination
D)stimulus discrimination; extinction
E)stimulus discrimination; stimulus generalization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The man's fear of small elevators (similar to the tight, enclosed space where he was trapped) is an example of stimulus generalization, where the fear response has generalized to similar situations. His lack of fear toward large, uncrowded elevators (which are not similar to the tight, enclosed space) is an example of stimulus discrimination, where he can differentiate between situations that are and are not threatening.

In an Example Reported in Your Text, a Man Was