Which process describes reinforcement effects spreading to new, untrained behaviors without additional training?

Which process describes reinforcement effects spreading to new, untrained behaviors without additional training?

• A. Generalization
• B. Incidental Teaching
• C. Contriving
• D. Capturing

Answer: (A)

Generalization is when reinforcement for a behavior in one context spreads to new, untrained behaviors or settings without additional training. Once a response is reinforced in a particular situation, similar responses or responses in related situations tend to appear without being explicitly taught each variant. For example, if a student is reinforced for raising a hand to ask a question, they may start using other appropriate ways to participate—like saying “excuse me” or asking in similar settings—without separate training for each behavior. Or a dog reinforced for fetching a ball in the yard may also fetch in the park. The reinforcement effect extends beyond the exact trained action and context, yielding new, untrained behaviors. Other terms describe how training opportunities are created or identified rather than the spread of reinforcement effects. Incidental teaching focuses on natural opportunities to teach within daily activities; capturing involves reinforcing a behavior that happens spontaneously; contriving involves arranging circumstances to elicit a specific response.

Generalization is when reinforcement for a behavior in one context spreads to new, untrained behaviors or settings without additional training. Once a response is reinforced in a particular situation, similar responses or responses in related situations tend to appear without being explicitly taught each variant. For example, if a student is reinforced for raising a hand to ask a question, they may start using other appropriate ways to participate—like saying “excuse me” or asking in similar settings—without separate training for each behavior. Or a dog reinforced for fetching a ball in the yard may also fetch in the park. The reinforcement effect extends beyond the exact trained action and context, yielding new, untrained behaviors.

Other terms describe how training opportunities are created or identified rather than the spread of reinforcement effects. Incidental teaching focuses on natural opportunities to teach within daily activities; capturing involves reinforcing a behavior that happens spontaneously; contriving involves arranging circumstances to elicit a specific response.