A person originally feared great heights,such as standing on top of tall buildings.Now the person has also developed fears of flying in airplanes,standing on ladders,and even watching high-wire artists perform.These new fears are probably the result of _______.
A)modeling
B)discrimination
C)stimulus generalization
D)response generalization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The new fears that have developed in the person are likely due to stimulus generalization, which occurs when a response is elicited by a similar stimulus to the original fear-provoking stimulus. In this case, the fear of heights has generalized to other stimuli that share similar characteristics, such as the fear of flying in airplanes, standing on ladders, and watching high-wire artists perform. Model learning involves observing the behavior of others and imitating it, which is not the case here. Discrimination involves distinguishing between similar stimuli and responding differently to each, which is not the case either. Response generalization involves responding in similar ways to different stimuli because they share similar response characteristics, which is not the best explanation in this case.

A Person Originally Feared Great Heights,such as Standing on Top