Final answer:
Stimulus generation refers to 'a. The tendency of stimuli similar to a conditioned stimulus to evoke similar, conditioned responses,' which is a key concept in classical conditioning as part of the learning process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stimulus generation refers to the phenomenon where an organism shows a conditioned response to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. The correct answer to the question is a. The tendency of stimuli similar to a conditioned stimulus (CS) to evoke similar, conditioned responses. This concept is an essential aspect of classical conditioning, where an association is made between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response. The process of stimulus generalization suggests that after conditioning, the conditioned response can be triggered by stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus even if they are not exactly the same. This mechanism is instrumental in learning and behavior modification and contrasts with stimulus discrimination, where an organism learns to respond differently to similar stimuli.