Stimulus Discrimination
Also called: discrimination
Definition
Responding differently to different stimuli — behaving in the presence of a discriminative stimulus and not in the presence of other stimuli. It is produced by reinforcing the behavior in the presence of one stimulus and withholding reinforcement in the presence of others, and it is the opposite side of the coin from stimulus generalization.
In plain language
Telling stimuli apart and responding only to the right one. The opposite of treating similar things as the same.
Example
A learner hands over the red block when asked for red and the blue block when asked for blue.
Not stimulus discrimination
Handing over whichever block is closest regardless of the color named. No discrimination is in place yet.
Commonly confused with
See also
Written from
- green-2001
- skinner-1953
Written from Green (2001) and Skinner (1953). No textbook glossary consulted.
This entry has not yet been through clinical review. Treat it as a draft.