Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

Which of the following best describes the term "stimulus generalization"?

1. Responding differently to different stimuli

2. Applying learned skills across different settings

3. Learning new behaviors in response to rewards

4. Performing a skill in multiple contexts

The correct answer is: Applying learned skills across different settings

The term "stimulus generalization" refers to the phenomenon where a behavior learned in one context is exhibited in response to different, but similar, stimuli. This means that when an individual learns to perform a behavior in one situation, they may apply that behavior to other environments that share common features with the initial setting. In this case, the correct answer captures the essence of stimulus generalization by emphasizing the transfer of learned skills across various settings, highlighting the broader application of previously learned behaviors. This process allows for flexibility and adaptability in responding to varying situations, which is a crucial aspect of behavior analysis. The other choices address related concepts but do not accurately reflect the core definition of stimulus generalization. While responding differently to stimuli might suggest discrimination rather than generalization, learning new behaviors in response to rewards focuses on operant conditioning without stressing the generalization aspect. Performing a skill in multiple contexts somewhat overlaps but fails to highlight the transfer of learned responses to stimuli that were not explicitly taught, which is the key to understanding stimulus generalization.