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1.8 Definition of Controlling Variable

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Finally, we have controlling variable. A controlling variable is an environmental event, most commonly a discriminative stimulus, which controls or determines the likelihood that a given response will be emitted.

TermDefinition
StimulusA 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 StimulusA stimulus in the presence of which a given response has a history of being reinforced.      
ReinforcementA stimulus following a response that increases or strengthens the likelihood of that response occurring in the future, under similar conditions.
PunishmentA stimulus following a response that decreases or weakens the likelihood of that response occurring in the future, under similar conditions.
Controlling VariableAn environmental event, most commonly a discriminative stimulus, which controls or determines the likelihood that a given response will be emitted.
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3 Comments
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JULIA.SHRIKI35 julia shriki January 31, 2026 at 4:21 pm

Controlling variable can be used before or after the behavior.

acaton2501 Ainslee Caton February 15, 2026 at 8:00 am

Controlling variables use discriminative stimulus to evoke a response

alyssatg13 Alyssa Gilmore March 20, 2026 at 8:02 pm

Establishing a controlling variable helps establish control over experiment

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