Final answer:
Unlearned stimulus generalization refers to a natural, innate response to similar stimuli, while learned stimulus generalization occurs after conditioning, where an organism responds similarly to new stimuli that share common elements with the conditioned stimulus.
Step-by-step explanation:
To distinguish between unlearned stimulus generalization and learned stimulus generalization involving a common-element stimulus class, it is essential to understand that stimulus generalization refers to the process where an organism responds to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus in a conditioned manner. Unlearned stimulus generalization occurs naturally, without prior learning. For example, a baby might suckle on anything that is put into its mouth, not just the nipple—the response is generalized to all similar objects. This is an innate behavior.
On the other hand, learned stimulus generalization occurs after conditioning, where an organism has been trained to respond to a specific stimulus and then responds similarly to new stimuli that share common elements with the conditioned stimulus. An example of this would be Pavlov's dogs salivating to the sound of a bell that is similar to the one they were conditioned with. In this case, the generalization is the result of learning and experience.
A common-element stimulus class refers to a set of diverse stimuli that share a common feature, which makes them likely to be generalized. For example, a person who has been bitten by a dog may respond fearfully not only to the specific dog that bit them but also to other dogs that share similar characteristics.