Emily developed a fear of python snakes after an accident. Using the principles of classical conditioning, the accident would be considered the unconditioned stimulus. The fact that Emily was fearful of all snakes and not just python snakes demonstrates _________.
A)backward pairing of the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus
B)higher-order conditioning
C)discrimination
D)stimulus generalization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stimulus generalization occurs when a response that is conditioned to a specific stimulus is elicited by similar stimuli. In this case, Emily's fear extends from the specific python snakes (the conditioned stimulus) to all snakes, indicating that she is responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the original conditioned stimulus.

Emily Developed a Fear of Python Snakes After an Accident