Which phenomenon describes the tendency for a learned behavior to transfer to similar stimuli, increasing similarity yields broader expression?

• A. Spontaneous Recovery
• B. Generalization
• C. Cue/Command
• D. Consequence

Answer: (D)

Generalization is the tendency for a learned behavior to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the original training cue, with broader expression as similarity increases. In practice, a dog trained to respond to one odor or signal may also react to related odors or slightly different signals, and as those cues become more alike, the behavior appears in more situations. This is especially useful in the field, where cues aren’t identical every time, so the dog still performs the trained behavior with related cues. Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of a previously extinguished response after a rest period, a cue/command is simply the signal that triggers the behavior, and a consequence involves reinforcement or punishment shaping future performance. The described phenomenon matches generalization.