Stimulus Generalization

The extension of the ability to elicit a response to stimuli other than the original conditioned stimulus. This occurs as the stimuli share certain properties, physical or otherwise, with the original conditioned stimulus (Bouton, 2001; American Psychological Association, 2018; Ioannou & Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, 2018). For example, if you loved a James Bond movie, you are more likely to enjoy another James Bond film due to stimulus generalization.