Discrimination is a term used in conditioning that means the ability to distinguish between a stimulus and similar stimuli, to respond only to certain stimuli and not respond to similar ones.
Discriminative stimulus is the technical term in behavioral psychology for indicating something, such as a person or event, before a behavioral response. It is the opposite of a stimulus generalization, where the person learns that a behavior (such as asking for candy in a grocery store) can also be performed in other places with candy (such as a convenience store). In contrast, a discriminative stimulus is a behavior specifically associated with or triggered by that stimulus. In this Psychology-Online article we will see in depth what is a discriminative stimulus in psychologywhat is stimulus discrimination, how it works and examples.
What is a discriminative stimulus
A discriminative stimulus is one that evokes a specific behavior or set of behaviorsbecause in its presence that behavior has produced reinforcement in the past. An event, a light, a sound, a symbol particular that signals when an operant stimulus will be followed by certain consequences.
It indicates that reinforcement, for that behavior, is probably available; The discriminative stimulus functions, in fact, as an informant about the convenience or not of emitting a certain behavior in that situation (“now you can do the right thing”, “the reinforcer will come”).
Discriminative stimuli are things present in the environment that manage to acquire the value of “signal”, and more precisely indicate the consequence that has occurred after having acted in a certain way that can be expected again. Something that “suggests” that if we act in a certain way we can obtain a reward.
Identifying the discrimination stimulus is important to find reinforcement, so we need to increase appropriate behavior. A discriminative stimulus does not eliminate a behavior, however: it simply alters its probability of occurrence.
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How a discriminative stimulus works
The discriminative stimulus describes something that is the trigger for a specific behavior, and comes first: the behavior, therefore, follows as a direct result of this stimulus. He produces the response, while the discriminative stimulus indicates the opportunity to respond. It creates the opportunity for a specific behavior to occur, because the resulting behavior has already been reinforced in the past.
The anterior or discriminant stimulus is part of a specific process in ABA therapy called ABC, an acronym that – translated from English – means:
- A. Background: These are the circumstances, actions or events that occur before a certain behavior. Consequence: This is the action or response after the subject’s behavior.
- B. Behavior: This is the subject’s response.
- C. Consequence: This is the action or response after the subject’s behavior.
Examples of discriminative stimuli
Let’s look at some examples of discriminative stimuli applied to daily life.
- If we see the sign “electronic speed control” (discriminative stimulus) we know that if we apply the behavior “respect the speed limit and do not exceed 50 km per hour”, it is very likely that we will return home without a fine.
- We see the light switch (discriminative stimulus); we press the switch (behavior); the light comes on (consequence).
- If a pigeon’s pecking is reinforced when there is a red light, but not when the light is green, The red light It will serve as a discriminative stimulus and the pigeon will learn to peck only when the key is red.
- In an experiment in which a mouse is taught to navigate a maze, it is easier to train the mouse with a highly desirable reward (such as peanut butter) than a less desirable reward like a piece of broccoli.
Relationship of the discriminative stimulus with the delta stimulus
The delta stimulus is the result of the person’s learning history: a stimulus, in fact, can be associated with another situation, if it is followed by reinforcement or punishment. When a stimulus is associated with the lack of reinforcement, we then speak of the delta stimulus condition, since it indicates that reinforcement will probably not be available (if I go to the clothing store, I cannot buy bread).
Therefore, we define as discriminative the stimulus that tells us that if we apply a certain behavior we will obtain a reinforcer, and delta the stimulus that tells us that if we apply that behavior we will not get any reinforcer. This differentiation of stimuli can be useful in teaching children when is the right time or context to do something. For examplewe can make the child wear a bracelet that tells him (discriminative stimulus) that allows him to do a certain thing that, on the contrary, is prohibited in the absence of the bracelet (delta stimulus).
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Riccio, R. (2013). Stimulate discrimination and contingency at three ends (3 of 4). Retrieved from: http://www.riabilitazionelogopedia.it/home/prevenzione/stimoli-discriminativi-e-contingenza-a-tre-termini-3-di-4/
- Sprout (2021). Discriminative Stimulus in ABA Therapy: Explained. Retrieved from: https://www.joinsprouttherapy.com/studio/aba-terms/discriminative-stimulus