Generalization: When a learned response occurs or is elicited by a new stimulus it is called generalization.
Example: Suppose an organism is conditioned to elicit a CR (Saliva secretion or any other reflexive response) on presentation of a CS (light or sound of bell). After conditioning is established, and another stimulus similar to the CS (e.g., ringing to telephone) is presented, the organisms make the conditioned response to it. This phenomenon of responding similarly to similar stimuli is known as generalization.
Dscrimination: Discrimination is a response due to difference.
Example: Suppose a child is conditioned to be afraid of a person with a long moustache and wearing black clothes, in subsequent situation, when she/ he meets another person dressed in black clothes with a beard, the child shows signs of fear. The child’s fear is generalized. She/ he meets another stranger who is wearing grey clothes and is clean-shaven. The child shows no fear. This is an example of discrimination. Occurrence of generalization means failure of discrimination. Discriminative response depends on the discrimination capacity or discrimination learning of the organism.