Suppose you have been conditioned to show increased heart rate at the sight of a venomous snake.What would you have to do to demonstrate stimulus generalization?
A)Continue your increased heart rate long after the snake has left.
B)Increase your heart rate at the sight of a harmless snake.
C)Decrease your heart rate after the snake has left.
D)Report unpleasant dreams about a venomous snake.

Question

Suppose you have been conditioned to show increased heart rate at the sight of a venomous snake.What would you have to do to demonstrate stimulus generalization?​
A)Continue your increased heart rate long after the snake has left.
B)Increase your heart rate at the sight of a harmless snake.​
C)Decrease your heart rate after the snake has left.​
D)​Report unpleasant dreams about a venomous snake.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stimulus generalization occurs when a learned response is applied to similar stimuli. In this case, to demonstrate stimulus generalization, the individual should show an increased heart rate at the sight of a harmless snake, which is similar in appearance to the venomous snake that they have been conditioned to respond to. Option A is incorrect as continuing the increased heart rate after the stimulus has left would not be a demonstration of stimulus generalization. Option C is incorrect as decreasing the heart rate after the stimulus has left does not show any generalization of the learned response. Option D is also incorrect as reporting unpleasant dreams about a venomous snake is not related to stimulus generalization.

Suppose You Have Been Conditioned to Show Increased Heart Rate