Question

How can you distinguish between generalisation and discrimination?

Answer 1

The distinguishing features between generalisation and discrimination are as follows:

Generalisation refers to the phenomenon of responding similarly to similar stimuli. It represents the occurrence or elicitation of learned response by a new stimulus. For instance, in the absence of mother, a child is able to find the jar of chocolates. Furthermore, generalisation occurs due to failure of discrimination.

Discrimination on the other hand is a response caused by difference in stimuli. Discriminative response depends on the discrimination capacity of the organism. For example, a child who is scared of all men with moustache may not be scared of clean-shaved men.