Which concept describes how the presence or absence of environmental stimuli can increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior?

Which concept describes how the presence or absence of environmental stimuli can increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior?

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Extinction
• C. Punishment
• D. Stimulus Control

Answer: (D)

Stimulus control describes how an organism’s behavior is shaped by antecedent environmental cues. When a discriminative stimulus is present, reinforcement is available for a given behavior, so that behavior becomes more likely to occur. When the stimulus is absent or a different cue signals that reinforcement isn’t available, the behavior is less likely to occur. This explains how presence or absence of cues can increase or decrease the likelihood of a response, independent of the immediate consequence. For example, a child is more likely to raise a hand when the teacher is watching (cue signaling reinforcement) and less likely when no one is watching.

Stimulus control describes how an organism’s behavior is shaped by antecedent environmental cues. When a discriminative stimulus is present, reinforcement is available for a given behavior, so that behavior becomes more likely to occur. When the stimulus is absent or a different cue signals that reinforcement isn’t available, the behavior is less likely to occur. This explains how presence or absence of cues can increase or decrease the likelihood of a response, independent of the immediate consequence. For example, a child is more likely to raise a hand when the teacher is watching (cue signaling reinforcement) and less likely when no one is watching.