Generalization takes place when a new stimulus with similar characteristics like a previously unassociated stimulus gives similar response to the previously associated response. In other words, similar stimulus prompt similar responses when a generalization is at work, this is vital in the determination of learned behaviors. The essay will discuss how generalization will help promote newly learned behaviors in Sniffy.
Generalization is the tendency to act in response to a related stimulus following learning. For instance, if an individual has a frightening experience with snakes, they will come to fear all snakes and any other animal that looks like them. In this case, the fear of an object causes an unwarranted fear of any other related objects with the same characteristics. Similarly, in the virtual laboratory, generalized tests were made (S+ and S-) with two different levels of tones on pushing the handles. The association of Sniffy with pellets on hearing the tone of the handle being pushed was evident; this implies that Sniffy had a significant association between the two events (handle being pushed and the presence of pellets). In this case, the tendency of Sniffy to press the handle in the presence of different tone frequencies helped promote newly learned behaviors.
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In generalization, similar stimuli bring out similar responses. Therefore, through generalization, Sniffy was able to discriminate successfully between the frequency of the tone and the presence of the tone. The process of generalization is necessary and adaptive for survival. Thus, it is decisive that with generalization, animals like sniffy are able to learn new behaviors because of the constant reinforcements given to them at an appropriate time.
