Stimulus generalization is the tendency of individuals to respond in the same way to a wide range of stimuli. It is most commonly observed in the context of Pavlovian conditioning in which a stimulus (e.g., a bell) is repeatedly paired with a particular response (e.g., salivation).
Stimulus generalization is a fairly common phenomenon, and it has been noted in a variety of contexts. In this situation, the bell is generally seen as a stimulus that causes salivation, even when the bell is not actually paired with food. Similarly, stimulus generalization has been observed in the context of social cognition in which individuals tend to generalize the attitudes and behaviors of others to similar situations. For example, if someone is praised for being helpful, they are likely to be more helpful in future situations.
There are a number of reasons why stimulus generalization occurs. One reason is that the brain is constantly processing information, and it is often easier to remember a particular response to a particular stimulus than it is to remember the entire range of possible responses. Additionally, the brain is often able to group similar stimuli together, which can help to simplify the task of processing information.
Stimulus generalization can have a number of consequences. For example, it can lead to stereotyping in which individuals tend to view all members of a particular group as being similar. Additionally, stimulus generalization can lead to inaccurate predictions in which individuals are likely to make assumptions about the behavior of others based on the stimuli that they have seen. Finally, stimulus generalization can lead to social phobias in which individuals are afraid of particular situations or objects because they have seen them associated with negative experiences.
