Definition

Noun: A discriminative stimulus is a specific cue or signal in the environment that indicates whether a particular behavior will be reinforced or punished. It provides information to an organism about the likely consequences of an action, thereby influencing the choice to perform that behavior.

Usage

A discriminative stimulus (often abbreviated as Sᴰ) sets the occasion for a behavior. It does not force the behavior to occur but signals that if the behavior does occur, a certain consequence (like a reward) is probable. It is a fundamental concept in operant conditioning.

Examples

• In a laboratory, a pigeon learns that pecking a key when a green light (discriminative stimulus) is on results in food, but pecking when a red light is on does not. The green light signals the availability of reinforcement.
• The sound of a car engine starting can be a discriminative stimulus for a dog to run to the door, as this sound has been associated with going for a walk.
• For a student, a teacher saying "Please answer question five" is a discriminative stimulus that writing an answer is likely to be followed by positive feedback.

Advanced Usage

• Stimulus Control: The presence of a reliable discriminative stimulus establishes "stimulus control" over a behavior, meaning the behavior is more likely to occur in its presence than in its absence.
• S-Delta (SΔ): This is the complementary term for a stimulus that signals that a behavior will be reinforced. In the pigeon example, the red light would be an S-delta.

Variants and Related Words

• Sᴰ: The standard symbolic abbreviation for a discriminative stimulus.
• Stimulus Control (n): The phenomenon where a behavior is triggered by the presence of a specific discriminative stimulus.
• Cue (n): A more general, non-technical synonym often used in everyday language.

Synonyms

• Cue
• Signal
• Prompt

Related Phrases

• To serve as a discriminative stimulus: To function as a signal for reinforcement.
  • The bell began to serve as a discriminative stimulus for salivation.
• Under the control of a discriminative stimulus: Describing a behavior that is reliably elicited by a specific cue.
  • The lever-pressing behavior was under the control of the tone, a clear discriminative stimulus.

Noun

1. a stimulus that provides information about what to do