Which of the following is an example of stimulus generalization in operant conditioning?

A) You get a good grade by studying a certain way for your sociology class, so you use the same study technique for your psychology class.
B) Your history professor focuses on vocabulary words, so you memorize words for that class, but not other classes.
C) You react emotionally when your boyfriend or girlfriend gives you an unexpected gift.
D) You try several different methods of studying for your psychology exam, not just one.

Stimulus generalization occurs when a behavior is reinforced in the presence of a specific stimulus, and the behavior is then exhibited in the presence of other similar stimuli. In this example, the study technique that was successful in the sociology class is generalized to the psychology class, which is a similar context.

B, C, and D are not examples of stimulus generalization. In B, the behavior of memorizing words is not being generalized to other classes, but is only applicable in the context of the history class. In C, the emotional reaction to a gift from a significant other is not a behavior that results from reinforcement in the presence of a specific stimulus. In D, trying different methods of studying is not an example of stimulus generalization but rather a process of trial and error to find the best method for a specific context.