Topic 7: Stimulus Control Flashcards
Antecedents
a stimulus or event that preceded the target behavior
Stimulus Control
the outcome of stimulus discrimination training
a particular behavior is more likely to occur in the presence of a particular discriminitive stimulus (the S^D) because the behavior has been reinforced only when the S^D was present
the S^D has stimulus control over the behavior
Stimulus Class
a group of stimuli that all have the same functional effect on a particular behavior
for example, each stimulus in a stimulus class may function as a discriminitive stimulus for a particular behavior
Discriminative Stimulus (S^D)
the stimulus that is present when a particular behavior is reinforced
Stimulus Discrimination Training
a process in which a behavior is reinforced when the discriminative stimulus (S^D) is present and is extinguished when the S-delta is present
as a result, the behavior is more likely to occur only when the S^D is present
also called discrimination training
S-Delta
a stimulus that is present when a behavior is not reinforced
in discrimination training, the behavior is reinforced if it occurs in the presence of the discriminative stimulus (S^D) but not in the presence of S-delta
Three-Term Contingency
the antecedent that is present when the behavior occurs, the behavior, and the reinforcing consequence
also called a contingency of a reinforcement
Generalization
a process in which the behavior occurs in the presence of antecedent stimuli that are similar in some way to the discriminative stimulus present when the behavior was reinforced
generalization is also defined as the occurrence of a target behavior in a non-training situation after training
What is the three-term contingency?
also known as the “ABCs” of behavior
in the presence of a particular antecedent cue or signal (a stimulus), a specific behavior will be followed by a certain consequence
antecedent –> behavior –> consequence
e.g. phone rings –> you answer it –> you get to talk to your boyfriend
What are antecedents?
include the stimuli, events, or situations that precede a behavioral response
these provide the context in which consequences may occur
all antecedents are stimuli
What are overt antecedents?
stimuli directly observable with your senses
e.g. you hear your phone ring –> you answer it
What are covert antecedents?
internal experiences; not open to observation by others
e.g. you feel hungry –> you get a snack
What are immediate antecedents?
occur right before (or overlap with) behavior
e.g. the fire alarm goes off –> leave the building
What are distant antecedents?
stimuli (often covert) that precede the behavior by a long time; also can affect behavior for a long time
medication effects, health status, history of abuse can influence current behavior
e.g. person abused by spouse –> avoids long-term relationships many years later
What is stimulus control?
is the extent to which an antecedent stimulus can influence performance of a specific behavior
when a stimulus exercises a high degree of stimulus control, the behavior is highly likely to occur in the presence of the cue
e.g. every time you hear your ring tone you grab your phone
