Which term describes the ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the original conditioned stimulus?

The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the original conditioned stimulus is known as stimulus discrimination. This process allows an individual to recognize and react specifically to a particular stimulus while ignoring other similar but distinct stimuli.

In classical conditioning, for example, if a dog learns to associate a specific sound (the conditioned stimulus) with food, stimulus discrimination enables the dog to respond only to that sound and not to other similar sounds that do not signal the arrival of food. This skill is crucial for adapting behavior to the environment, ensuring that responses are accurate and relevant.

Stimulus generalization, on the other hand, is when an organism responds similarly to different but related stimuli, indicating a broader reaction than intended. Unconditioned response refers to a natural, reflexive reaction that occurs without prior conditioning. A conditioned reflex describes a learned response that has been established through conditioning, but it does not specifically cover the ability to differentiate stimuli, which is the focus of the correct term.