Chapter 10: Generalization, Discrimination, and Stimulus Control

Question 1

Concept

Answer 1

Any class (i.e., group, category) the members of which share one or more defi ning features.

Question 2

Differential outcomes effect (DOE)

Answer 2

The fi nding that discrimination training proceeds more rapidly when different behaviors produce different reinforcers.

Question 3

Discrimination

Answer 3

The tendency for a behavior to occur in the presence of certain stimuli but not in their absence. (C’. generalization.)

Question 4

Discrimination training

Answer 4

Any procedure for establishing a discrimination. Pavlovian discrimination training consists of presenting one stimulus (the CS+) with the US and presenting another stimulus (the CS) without the US. Operant discrimination training normally consists of reinforcing a behavior when it occurs in the presence of one stimulus (the S+ or SD), but not when it occurs in the presence of another stimulus (the S- or SΔ). See errrorless discimination training; matching to sample; simultaneous discrimination training; successive discriminationtraining.

Question 5

Discriminative stimulus

Answer 5

In operant discrimination training, any stimulus that signals either that a behavior will be reinforced (an S+ or SD) or will not be reinforced (an S- or SΔ).

Question 6

Errorless discrimination training

Answer 6

A form of discrimination training in which the S is introduced in very weak form and gradually strengthened. The usual result is that discrimination is achieved with few or no errors. Also called the Terrace procedure.

Question 7

Excitatory gradient

Answer 7

In Spence’’s theory of generalization and discrimination, a generalization gradient showing an increased tendency to respond to the S+ or CS+ and stimuli resembling them. (C’. inhibitory gradient.)

Question 8

Experimental neurosis

Answer 8

Any bizarre or neurotic behavior induced through an experimental procedure such as discrimination training.

Question 9

Generalization

Answer 9

The tendency for a learned behavior to occur in the presence of stimuli that were not present during training. (C’. discrimination.)

Question 10

Generalization gradient

Answer 10

Any graphic representation of generalization data.

Question 11

Inhibitory gradient

Answer 11

In Spence’’s theory of generalization and discrimination, a gradient showing a decreased tendency to respond to the S or CS and stimuli resembling them. (C’. excitatory gradient.)

Question 12

Matching to sample (MTS)

Answer 12

A discrimination training procedure in which the task is to select from two or more comparison stimuli the one that matches a sample.

Question 13

Mismatching

Answer 13

A variation of matching to sample in which reinforcement is available for selecting the comparison stimulus that is different from the sample. Also called oddity matching. Oddity matching

Question 14

Peak shift

Answer 14

The tendency following discrimination training for the peak of responding in a generalization gradient to shift away from the CS or S.

Question 15

S–

Answer 15

A stimulus in the presence of which a behavior will not be reinforced. Also called SΔ, pronounced ess-delta.

Question 16

S+

Answer 16

A stimulus in the presence of which a behavior will be reinforced. Also called SD, pronounced ess-dee. (C’.S.)

Question 17

Semantic generalization

Answer 17

Generalization based on an abstract (as opposed to a physical) property of a stimulus.

Question 18

Simultaneous discrimination training

Answer 18

A discrimination training procedure in which the S+ and S– are presented at the same time.

Question 19

Stimulus control

Answer 19

The tendency for a behavior to occur in the presence of an S+ but not in the presence of an S. (C’. discrimination.)

Question 20

Successive discrimination training

Answer 20

A discrimination training procedure in which the S+ and S– are presented one after the other in random sequence.