Which statement best differentiates generalization and maintenance?

• A. Generalization and maintenance are synonyms.
• B. Generalization is applying skills across settings/people/materials; maintenance is continuing performance after training ends.
• C. Generalization occurs across settings only; maintenance occurs during training.
• D. Generalization is about reward schedules; maintenance is about data collection.

Answer: (B)

Generalization refers to using a skill beyond where it was learned—across different settings, with different people, and with different materials or contexts. It shows that the learner can apply the skill in real life, not just during training. Maintenance is about the durability of that skill over time after training has ended or after reinforcement is reduced, meaning the behavior continues to occur in the absence of ongoing coaching.

For example, if a child learns to mand for help during therapy with a clinician in the clinic and then starts asking for help at home with a parent and at school with a teacher, that demonstrates generalization. If, after instruction ends, the child still uses the skill weeks or months later with little or no prompting, that demonstrates maintenance.

The choice that links generalization to applying skills across settings/people/materials and maintenance to continuing performance after training ends best captures the distinction. The other options confuse synonyms, limit generalization to settings only or misplace when maintenance occurs, or mix in unrelated concepts like reward schedules or data collection.