Stimulus Control & Discrimination Training Flashcards

Stimulus control exists when a behavior occurs more frequently in the presence of a specific stimulus than in its absence. Which term describes a stimulus that has been associated with reinforcement and therefore increases the probability of a response?

Answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)

An SD (discriminative stimulus) signals that reinforcement is available, increasing the probability that the behavior will occur in its presence.

During discrimination training, a behavior is reinforced in the presence of SD and extinguished in the presence of SΔ. What is the role of the SΔ?

Answer: It signals that reinforcement is not available

The SΔ (S-delta) signals that reinforcement is NOT available, so responses in its presence undergo extinction.

A child learns to request 'juice' only when juice is visible and not when other drinks are present. This outcome best demonstrates which behavioral process?

Answer: Stimulus discrimination

Stimulus discrimination occurs when a response is differentially emitted in the presence of one stimulus but not others.

A practitioner uses a multiple schedule to assess stimulus control. What is a defining feature of a multiple schedule?

Answer: Two or more schedules alternate with a distinct exteroceptive stimulus signaling each component

In a multiple schedule, two or more independent schedules alternate, each correlated with a distinct exteroceptive stimulus (like a light or tone).

Which procedure involves presenting the target SD followed immediately by a prompt, then gradually removing the prompt over successive trials?

Answer: Stimulus fading

Stimulus fading involves gradually removing or changing an added stimulus feature (prompt) across trials so the SD gains control of the response.

Errorless learning differs from trial-and-error learning primarily because it:

Answer: Arranges antecedent conditions to prevent errors during acquisition

Errorless learning arranges antecedent conditions (e.g., immediate prompts) so correct responses occur from the start, minimizing or eliminating errors.

When stimulus control is said to be 'narrow,' which of the following best describes the behavioral pattern?

Answer: The behavior occurs only in the presence of a very specific set of stimulus conditions

Narrow stimulus control means the behavior occurs only under very limited stimulus conditions, which may indicate overly restricted generalization.