What term refers to the tendency for a conditioned response to be evoked by similar stimuli?

The term that describes the tendency for a conditioned response to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus is generalization. This phenomenon occurs when an individual learns to respond not just to the specific stimulus that was originally associated with a response but also to other stimuli that share similar characteristics. For example, if a dog is conditioned to salivate in response to a bell, it might also salivate when hearing other similar sounds, such as a whistle or a doorbell.

Generalization is an important concept in classical conditioning because it allows organisms to apply learned behaviors in a broader context, aiding in survival and adaptation. The process demonstrates how learning can extend beyond specific stimuli, highlighting the ability of the brain to recognize patterns and similarities in the environment. This is in contrast to processes like discrimination, where an organism learns to distinguish between different stimuli and respond only to the specific one associated with the conditioned response.