Final answer:
The response to a generalized stimulus is controlled by the autonomic nervous system for involuntary responses and the somatic nervous system for voluntary responses. The intensity of a response can be influenced by the rate and number of action potentials, as well as through stimulus discrimination and generalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strength of a response to a generalized stimulus is controlled by various factors within the nervous system. One key aspect is the autonomic nervous system, which governs involuntary responses such as the contractions of smooth muscles, regulation of cardiac muscle, and the activation of glands. Voluntary responses, which involve the contraction of skeletal muscle, are under the control of the somatic nervous system.
In the context of classical conditioning, the intensity of a stimulus, and consequently the strength of the response, is often encoded in the rate of action potentials produced by the sensory receptor. Additionally, the number of receptors activated can affect the response. Multiple receptors responding to an intense stimulus create a stronger, combined effect, influencing the overall response.
Concepts like stimulus discrimination and stimulus generalization are also closely linked to the strength of a response. For instance, Pavlov's dogs responded strongly to the specific tone associated with food, showing stimulus discrimination, while ignoring similar, irrelevant sounds.
In general, the nervous system can adjust the amplitude of its responses via the control mechanisms that increase or decrease a stimulus. Moreover, the duration of a stimulus can affect how long the response lasts but not its strength.
Finally, the Yerkes-Dodson Law suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance, meaning that the strength of the stimulus should be neither too low nor too high for an optimal response.