Final answer:
The phenomenon of learning to associate the discriminative stimulus with a range of similar stimuli is known as stimulus generalization. It refers to an organism reacting similarly to similar but not identical stimuli. The process where an organism learns to respond differently to similar yet distinct stimuli is called stimulus discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
This is when an organism shows a conditioned response to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus. For example, if a sound similar to the one associated with food presentation causes salivation in Pavlov's dogs, that's stimulus generalization. The opposite process, stimulus discrimination, occurs when an organism learns to respond differently to various stimuli that are similar but not the same as the conditioned stimulus, such as a cat distinguishing between the sound of a can opener (indicating food) and an electric mixer (not associated with food). It is integral for organisms to be able to engage in both stimulus generalization and discrimination to respond appropriately to their environment. Generalization allows for adaptability to new, similar situations, while discrimination helps in distinguishing between different cues that may have varying consequences or relevance.