Which term describes operant behavior that occurs at some probability in the presence of a discriminative stimulus?

Which term describes operant behavior that occurs at some probability in the presence of a discriminative stimulus?

• A. Emitted
• B. Environment
• C. Positive Reinforcer
• D. Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

Answer: (A)

In operant conditioning, behaviors that occur in the presence of a discriminative stimulus with some probability are described as emitted. The discriminative stimulus signals that reinforcement is available, but it doesn’t force the response; the organism emits the response based on its history and current motivation. So the behavior is voluntary and controlled by consequences, not a reflex elicited by the stimulus. The other terms don’t fit: the environment is the overall context, a positive reinforcer is a consequence that increases behavior, and the discriminative stimulus is the cue itself, not the behavior.

In operant conditioning, behaviors that occur in the presence of a discriminative stimulus with some probability are described as emitted. The discriminative stimulus signals that reinforcement is available, but it doesn’t force the response; the organism emits the response based on its history and current motivation. So the behavior is voluntary and controlled by consequences, not a reflex elicited by the stimulus. The other terms don’t fit: the environment is the overall context, a positive reinforcer is a consequence that increases behavior, and the discriminative stimulus is the cue itself, not the behavior.