1.5 Definition of Discriminative Stimulus
The next term is discriminative stimulus, which is a stimulus in the presence of which a given response has a history of being reinforced. For example, if a hungry lab rat receives a pellet (reinforcement) for pressing a bar only when a red light is on, the red light is probably functioning as a discriminative stimulus.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Stimulus | A physical energy change capable of affecting an organism through one of its receptors: photoreceptors, phonoreceptors, chemoreceptors (gustatory and olfactory), mechanoreceptors (touch), thermoreceptors, and free nerve endings. |
| Discriminative Stimulus | A stimulus in the presence of which a given response has a history of being reinforced. |
Reinforcement reinforces a behavior, while punishment aims to get rid of that behavior.
discriminative stimulus always has a history of being reinforced
It’s such an excellent way to caption this.
Can be shortened to “SD”
reinforcement versus punishment have two different outcomes
An SD could also be an open sign on a restaurant door!
Discriminative stimulus has a history of being reinforced.
A discriminative stimulus is a stimulus that is given when a response has a history of being reinforced.
Signal the availability of a reinforcement