A discriminative stimulus is
A) the same thing as a reinforcer.
B) the same thing as a conditioned stimulus.
C) a cue that indicates the probable consequences of an operant response.
D) a cue that indicates whether the unconditioned stimulus will be pleasant or aversive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A discriminative stimulus is a cue or signal that indicates the probable consequences of an operant response. It helps the organism to discriminate between situations in which a particular behavior will or will not be reinforced. A discriminative stimulus can be any environmental event or condition that reliably predicts the availability of reinforcement. It is different from a conditioned stimulus which is a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to evoke a conditioned response. A discriminative stimulus does not necessarily indicate pleasure or aversion but rather the likelihood of reinforcement.

A Discriminative Stimulus Is