What is it called when a stimulus from one context carries over to another in conditioning?

The term for when a stimulus from one context carries over to another in conditioning is stimulus generalization. This phenomenon occurs when an organism responds to stimuli that are similar, but not identical, to a conditioned stimulus. For example, if a dog has been conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell, it may also salivate in response to a similar sounding bell.

Stimulus generalization is an essential concept because it demonstrates how learning can transfer across different but related situations, allowing organisms to apply previous experiences in new contexts. It indicates that the learned response is not just tied to a specific stimulus but can extend to similar stimuli, illustrating the adaptability of behaviour.

In contrast, the other options refer to distinct concepts within the realm of psychology. Behavior modification refers to techniques used to change specific behaviors through reinforcement or punishment. Operant conditioning is a process in which behavior is modified based on the consequences that follow, focusing on reinforcement and punishment rather than on the transfer of stimuli. A conditioned response is the learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a response. Each of these concepts plays a unique role in the frameworks of learning and behavior but does not specifically address the transfer of response from one stimulus